Name: Cream Cheese Kolacky
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 35 min
Yield: 24 servings
Ingredients: 3 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup butter, softened; 1 cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (any flavor); ⅓ cup powdered sugar (for decoration); 1 batch chilled kolacky dough

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 4 hours 35 min
Servings: 24

For the Kolacky Dough

Chill the dough thoroughly—this keeps the cookies crisp and prevents spreading in the oven.

Ingredients

3 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually add flour and mix until well blended.
Shape dough into a ball, wrap, and chill for several hours or overnight.

Prep: 15 min • Cook: No time • Wait: 4 hours

Assembly & Baking

Ingredients

½ cup fruit jam or preserves (any flavor)
⅓ cup powdered sugar (for decoration)
1 batch chilled kolacky dough

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
On a floured surface, roll out chilled dough to ⅛ inch thickness.
Cut into 2½ inch squares. Place about ½ teaspoon of jam in the center of each square.
Fold two opposite corners toward the center so they slightly overlap. Pinch to seal.
Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, until lightly golden.
Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool.
Once cooled, dust lightly with powdered sugar.

Notes

These delicate pastries be a sweet treasure from Eastern European shores—flaky, fruity, and dusted like a winter’s deck. Use thick jam to prevent spreading, and chill the dough well for best results. Keeps in the ship’s stores for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container, layering with parchment to protect the bounty.