Showing the finished kolaczki cookies. They are on a white tray and you can see the cherry filling and almond filling in the cookies
Yield: 5-6 Dozen 2 Bite Cookies

Polish Kolaczki Cookies

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Chilling Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 31 minutes

Kolaczki cookies are a traditional Polish cream cheese cookie. The cookie dough almost mimics a pastry and is filled with a variety of fillings such as apricot, prune, cherry, almond, poppy seed, and more! 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks, 226 gr) unsalted butter, room temp
  • 8 oz (225 gr) cream cheese, room temp
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 1/4 cups (270 gr) all purpose flour (measured properly by spooning into measuring cups without packing down and leveling off)
  • solo brand filling of choice (*see note)
  • powdered sugar for rolling and dusting

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of the a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese on medium/high speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes.
  2. Mix in the vanilla and the salt until well combined.
  3. With the mixer running on low speed, add the flour slowly until all incorporated. You will have a very thick and sticky dough.
  4. Transfer the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper and press it out to about 1/2" thick. Chill in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes, until easy to handle. You can chill the dough for longer, but may need to let it sit out for a bit before rolling it.
  5. Dust a clean work surface liberally with powdered sugar. Take about 1/4th of the dough and dust the top with more powdered sugar. Roll out to a square about 1/4" thick. Keep the rest of the dough in the refrigerator as you work.
  6. Using a pizza cutter or bench knife, cut the dough into 2 inch by 2 inch squares.
  7. Spread about 1 tsp of filling down the middle of each square, corner to corner. To seal, dab a bit of water on one of the corners without filling and seal it in the center with the other corner. Press to seal so the cookies do not pop open in the oven. Transfer the filled cookies onto parchment lined baking sheets. The cookies will not spread so you can place them fairly close together.
  8. Bake at 350 F (170 C) for 14-18 minutes, until just barely golden brown. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
  9. Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar before serving. If you will not be serving right away, wait to dust until right before serving.
  10. Store cookies covered at room temperature for about 3 days. They will start to get soggy if not eaten within a few days. I also do not recommend storing them airtight. Place a lid loosely over top or cover with foil or plastic wrap.

Notes

*This recipe was adapted by me from my mother-in-law's recipe

  • A note about the filling. I find that canned filling does work best because it doesn't leak out of the cookie. Yes, it does contain corn syrup, but it is a cookie after all! If you prefer to make a filling, I suggest making a dried fruit filling. You can use jam if you like, but be aware it might leak out as it bakes.