These simple Polish Kolache Cookies for Christmas feature a soft cookie base and a topping of sweet fruit preserves. Don’t forget the extra powdered sugar!
Using my grandma’s old fashioned recipe, I set out to make an easy process for kolachy cookies. These turned out great, with extra jam too!
This recipe was originally published in December 2015. I updated the photos and recipe notes in August 2024.
Kolache, Kolaczki, Kolacky Cookies
There are so many different ways to spell one of my favorite cookies. But I know what you’re really concerned about.
You don’t need to tell me that these aren’t authentic because your Polish Nana makes these cookies and pinches them into the center over the jelly.
I get it. My mom usually does that too. And my own polish nana.
But know what happens when I try to fold them over and pinch the centers? After baking, I open the oven and they all look deformed and have opened.
So now I started making them this way and I couldn’t be happier. They are simpler and more attractive!
I’m sure some of you have tricks up your sleeve for pinching these closed. Feel free to leave a comment below so others can learn!
For now, I will make mine open.
- I’m making my Kolachky Cookies larger than life! I use a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter and this allows me to add even more jelly, which makes me happy. If you prefer them smaller, go ahead!
- Cream cheese dough keeps these cookies soft and flaky for days.
- Apricot Preserves are a traditional fruit filling and so delicious! I’ve got other ideas for you below, as well.
- Making them open also means they are fuss-free and fool proof!
- These cookies are perfect for rounding out your holiday treats!
You can also try my Jam Thumbprint cookies for a similar melt in your mouth cookie topped with almond glaze.
Ingredients for Kolache Cookies
- Butter – I use unsalted butter in my kolach cookie recipe to control the amount of sodium. If you only have salted butter, that will work fine here, too.
- Cream Cheese – Full fat cream cheese will give you the best results for these cookies. Be sure to let it soften at room temperature for a few minutes before starting.
- Flour – Regular all-purpose flour works great to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture we’re striving for. Make sure to use our guide on how to measure flour properly.
- Preserves – Apricot and strawberry preserves both work great for these cookies. You can use both or pick one. You can even substitute a different flavor to mix it up.
How to Make Kolache Cookies
Make the cookie dough. Cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add the flour and baking powder and beat until a soft dough forms.
Roll out the Dough. Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to about ½ cm thickness. Cut with a 2 ½ inch circle cookie cutter (or biscuit cutter) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Fill with Preserves. Spread about 1 Tablespoon of preserves into the center of each cookie.
Bake, cool and finish cookies. Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes. Cool completely on a cooling rack then dust them powdered sugar.
PRO TIP: You can also roll out the dough and cut into squares. Place the filling in the middle of each square and pinch corners closed before baking.
Tips and Tricks
- Allow the cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature before you start making the dough.
- When rolling out the cookies, gather any scraps and re-roll them to make more cookies. However, it’s best to only do this once, as repeating the process can make the cookies tough.
- Don’t overbake the cookies! They should come out of the oven BEFORE they start browning.
- Make sure to completely cool the cookies before sprinkling them with powdered sugar. Otherwise, it will just melt in.
- You can also add extra powdered sugar when serving to make the cookies look extra festive!
- Storage: Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Feel free to sprinkle with extra powdered sugar when serving.
- Can you freeze kolache cookies? Absolutely. Freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place in a freezer safe container or ziplock bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then add powdered sugar when serving.
Traditional Fillings for Kolachky Cookies
- Apricot Preserves. The Apricot Kolache cookie is one of my favorite flavors of jam filling!
- Strawberry Preserves. I make this flavor Kolache cookie for the kids, as it seems to be THEIR favorite, even though it’s not traditional.
- Poppyseed filling. You can buy cans of poppy seed filling (near pie filling). This is so good and Poppy Seed Kolache cookies are a family favorite!
- Nut filling. You can use my pecan tassie recipe as the filling!
Classic Holiday Cookies
- Looking for the BEST sugar cookie cut out recipe? These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are so flavorful and they always hold their shape. Don’t forget to add the delicious Vanilla Bean Frosting too!
- Don’t want to make cut out sugar cookies? These are the best, chewy Sugar Cookies with a no-chill dough. Topped with a creamy sugar cookie icing, you’ll love this Copycat Swig Sugar Cookie recipe!
- If you’re looking for the best Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust, this one is it. Easy cookie crust with a sweet and tangy lemon filling and lemon glaze, topped with powdered sugar!
- These Twix cookies have a buttery shortbread cookie base with creamy caramel and chocolate on top! I’m not even kidding when I say they are addictive!
- Gingerdoodle Cookies are chewy, soft cookies that taste like a cross between a gingersnap and a snickerdoodle. Add this to your baking list ASAP! You’ll love the texture of the cookies, but more importantly the molasses flavor with the cinnamon, ginger, and cloves is irresistible!
- For more easy holiday treats, be sure to try this soft and chewy Cake Mix Cookie recipe! Or make a batch of Chocolate Dipped Oreos with festive sprinkles!
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Kolache Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 package cream cheese, softened 8 oz
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups preserves I like to use a combination of apricot and strawberry
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Beat until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add baking powder and flour. Beat until a soft dough forms.
- Drop dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/2 cm thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter (or biscuit cutter) and place on baking sheet. Spread about 1 Tbsp preserves into the center of cookie.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, until set (before it begins to brown). Cool completely on wire rack.
- When cool, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for one week. You may need to add powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- If desired, after adding the preserves, pinch sides up into the center of cookie.
- Allow the butter and cream cheese to soften at room temperature before you start making the dough.
- When rolling out the cookies, any scraps can be smooshed back together and rolled out again to get more cookies, but you won’t want to repeat this process more than once, or else the cookies will become tough.
- Don’t overbake the cookies! They should come out of the oven BEFORE they start to brown.
- Make sure the cookies are compeletly cooled before sprinkling with the powdered sugar. Otherwise, it will just melt in.
- You can also add extra powdered sugar when serving to make the cookies look extra festive!
I would like to try these with Date filling as i have a date tree in my yard & like to use the fruit for dessert
Just pulled these out of the oven, I added vanilla paste to the creamed mixture, so light and melt in your mouth, will absolutely make over and over!!
Happy Holidays! Enjoy the cookies!
Hi I have a hand written recipe from my Nana for these cookies but the ingredients have yeast and evaporated milk, no cream cheese. Have you ever heard of that variation? Wondering if it was just out of necessity if ingredients were scarce. Never tried making them yet or remember her making them.
Hi Nicole, I have been making my grandmothers recipe for over 50 years and it uses cake yeast & evaporated milk. Very time consuming( thats why I only make the for Easter, Christmas & weddings) but I promise you it is worth the effort. Every time I make them I think of my mother & grandmother. When I had surgery a few years back my son made them to keep the tradition alive.
Can the dough be rolled into balls and then a thumbprint put in the middle? I’m not great at rolling out dough?
Yes you can! I have carpal tunnel and I have a hard time rolling out dough! I made these last year by rolling into balls and pressing them into my mini muffin tin to make cups! I made jelly and walnut, and they were delish!
Help! What is 1/2 cm in inches? Thanks!!
0.250 or 1/4″ is close to it in measurements you probably work with.
This is (almost) EXACTLY how my Slovak grandmother made them – round with a thumbrint filled w Apricot (no powdered sugar on top). BTW for filling, try pkg of dried apricots, low boil with water just to cover until mushy then food processor to puree and sweeten to taste (usually sweet enough that I don’t add any sugar). SO much better than preserves and doesn’t run.
A must for us every year. I use a small paint brush and dab in water then fold over to seal. A labor of love for sure but worth it!
I have been baking these for years and years and use my grandmothers receipe- almost the same as yours except no granulated sugar, only powered sugar. And putting the jelly in the middle I refrigerate mine rolled up for two hours, take out cut and push my thumb in the middle of each one then add the cooking jam, and TONS (LOL) of powdered sugar!!!!!
Thanks for all your recipes, I’m trying the Rice Krispie Treats tonight!
i would love to try these with a nut filling have you ever tried that
Can these be frozen
It’s a tradition at our house to try one Christmas food from another country every year. These are now at the top of my list – they look so yummy!
We have to make a batch every Christmas! Delicious!
These look amazing! I cant wait to try them!
My Polish heritage makes me very familiar with these cookies. They’re always on our cookie trays for the holidays and most every other gathering. I love your idea of not fussing with the fold over. Also, when you make them your way, you get more filling!!! (and no spill over!)
Haha, I love the story about the deformed cookies. So who cares if they are perfectly authentic. Yours are beautiful!