Cream Cheese Kolacky

This kolacky recipe starts with a 3-ingredient that seems too good to be true, but it's very real. Fill the kolacky cookies with your choice of fruit jam for a deliciously festive treat.

What Is a Kolacky?

A kolacky is a bite-sized pastry with Czech origins. The rich dough (which is made with cream cheese, butter, and flour) can feature different fillings, but jam is one of the most popular choices.

Kolacky Ingredients

This impressive kolacky recipe is easy to make with just five ingredients:

· Cream cheese: The irresistibly rich dough starts with cream cheese.· Butter: A stick of softened butter adds more richness and moisture.· Flour: A cup of all-purpose flour gives the dough structure.· Jam: You’ll need ½ cup of store-bought or homemade jam.· Confectioners’ sugar: Dust the kolacky with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

How to Make Kolacky

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade kolacky:

1. Make the dough, shape it into a ball, and chill.2. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface and cut into squares.3. Add the jam and shape the kolacky.4. Bake in the preheated oven and dust with sugar.

How to Store Kolacky

Store your leftover kolacky in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about four days. If you make the kolacky ahead of time, dust them with powdered sugar just before serving.

Can You Freeze Kolacky?

Yes, but it's best to freeze them before you bake. Fill and shape the kolacky, then arrange them on a baking sheet. Flash freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. When the kolacky are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or in a zip-top freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator and bake according to the recipe.

Cookdap Community Tips and Praise

"Great addition to our Christmas Cookies," according to KATHP4. "I made a double batch and filled 1/3 each with homemade muscadine wine, homemade peach jam, and dark chocolate."

"Excellent," raves Marie-Elena Cronin. "My family could not stop eating them. I will say…I was confused how only these 3 ingredients could come together for the dough but the recipe worked perfectly and made plenty."

"This is a great recipe, the pastry is flaky and wonderful," says knvarm. "No pictures since they disappeared so quickly. I roll them in powdered sugar instead of flour and it caramelizes on the bottom during baking."