This is a kolache. It's pronounced Ko-Lahtch-Key. It is awesome. Like beyond awesome. And you cover it with sugar until it looks like snow! Traditionally, you would use apricot jam, but strawberry or raspberry make it so pretty for Christmas. I used the tayberry I bought from Blue Cottage Jams. And if you don't care what color it is, blackberry is great, too. Basically, put jam on it. It'll make you happy.
Jam Kolaches
1/2 C butter, softened
1 sm package ( 3oz) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 C flour
1/4 C strawberry (or other) jam
1/4 C confectioner's sugar
Cream butter and cheese in a medium bowl. Beat until fluffy. Add flour, then mix well. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut with 2 inch round cutter. Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheet. Spoon 1/4 tsp jam on each cookie. Fold opposite sides together. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks and sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.
Yield about 2 dozen
Tips:
- I used a square fondant cutter to cut the shapes, but you can use a round biscuit cutter or even a glass if it's all you have.
- If you're having trouble getting the sides to stick together, a little water or milk applied by fingertip should do the trick.
Review:
These are crispy and melty and light. Not too sweet. You will wonder where they have been all your life. Just ask Cara at Fork and Beans! She has made a gluten-free vegan version for our joint venture. Go and see it!
UPDATE!!
Hi guys! We're doing the 12 Days of Christmas again this year! Check it out!
Already checked out Cara's version of this ;) These really look pretty Brooke! I am quite exited to see your remaining cookie recipes :)
ReplyDeleteHow did you get yours to have that perfect shape??? I must know! I love the points on the ends :) Come help me, my kolache guru...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chinmayie! Cara did a beautiful job on hers, didn't she? Keep checking on the weekdays! I've got a couple of recipes coming up that I invented. Never invented a baked good in my life. A little nervous... But excited!
ReplyDeleteCara, I used a square fondant cutter. But you could cut out a square with a knife if you don't want to go all the way to Michael's before making these again... Just fold two of the corners over, and voila! Points!
ReplyDeleteSquares!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I thought it was supposed to be a cirle.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the original recipe calls for a round one, but my Polish friend told me square was the real way to go... (Sorry I didn't give you the heads up on that...) *looks around sheepishly*
ReplyDeleteYou are sabotaging me!!
ReplyDeleteListen all ya'll it's a Sabotage!
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look awesome! I saw them on FoodGawker and was immediately like ummmmmm, bookmark!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina! I hope you'll stick around for the rest of the series! =)
ReplyDeleteOkay Mike D...
ReplyDeleteCheck out the hook wile my DJ revolves it. No wait...
ReplyDeleteVanilla? Is that you?
ReplyDeleteWord to your mother...
ReplyDeleteI am sooo going to make this tomorrow...:)
ReplyDelete~Gloria~
Gloria, you will not be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteThese look so good. Would love for you to share this with us over at foodepix.com.
ReplyDeleteI love how the rap references made it in to these comments. That is one of my favorite Beastie Boys songs. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how fast Cara and I can veer a post off the rails! =)
ReplyDeleteThese look perfect for the holidays
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea!
ReplyDeleteThought these were kifles?
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure, I never heard them called that before. When I looked it up on Yahoo! all I seem to find is a recipe with sour cream in it and nuts. On Google, it's virtually the exact same recipe! They do seem to have a similar appearance in the end. Hmmm... I do know that some people make kolaches with nuts instead of jam. Perhaps it's a regional name for a similar cookie. Kolache is a Polish name, while Kiflies seems to be Hungarian. At any rate, they're delicious, right?!
Deleteoh I grew up on these cookies except we had a creamcheese filling and a walnut filling. Our recipe calls for lard, yeast , and flour. It brings back memories of my mom and greatgrandmother backing these.
ReplyDeleteI have never had them with nuts or cream cheese, but it sounds so yummy! =)
Deleteomg, i love these, my mom and babka made these every christmas and party. they are to die for! i especially love the ones with apricot jam <3 btw, kolach can also be slovak, but i think its a very wide spread dessert.
ReplyDeletereal Kolace are round. With yeast and lard.filled with tvaroh-special cheese, raisins
ReplyDeleteVery rich. Thus you have only one or two.
My grandma, mom and i grew up on them.
Apparently there are a lot of different cookies with the name kolache. This particular version is apparently the Polish one. At any rate, they are delicious even if you decide to call them Fold-up Jam Cookies. Or Bob.
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