Chewy Kolache Cookies Recipe: Bakery Magic at Home

Czech bakeries have perfected the art of creating delectable kolache delight cookies that melt in your mouth with buttery softness.

These traditional treats carry generations of sweet memories and cultural richness.

Soft dough embraces rich fruit fillings in a delicate dance of flavor and texture.

Each cookie tells a story of heritage and warmth from Central European kitchens.

Handcrafted with simple ingredients, these cookies connect us to cherished baking traditions.

The sweet aroma promises comfort and nostalgia with every tender bite.

You’ll fall in love with this simple yet profound recipe that celebrates culinary simplicity.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes

Calories: 145 kcal

Servings: 25

What Makes Kolache Cookies So Unique

• Cream Cheese: Adds luxurious richness and silky texture to the cookie base, ensuring a tender crumb.
• Butter: Provides deep, golden flavor and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Contributes delicate sweetness and helps create a smooth, fine dough texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic undertones that complement the sweet filling.
• Flour: Gives structural foundation and creates the perfect cookie consistency.

• Raspberry Jam: Delivers vibrant, fruity burst of flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Egg White: Acts as a natural glue to seal cookie edges and create a golden sheen.
• Water: Helps thin egg white for smooth sealing process.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides elegant, delicate dusting that adds visual appeal and subtle sweetness.

Tools You’ll Need for Kolache Cookies

• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for blending cream cheese, butter, and other ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurately measuring flour, sugar, and jam.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Great for creating a smooth, creamy dough.
• Rolling Pin: Helps roll out the dough to an even 1/8-inch thickness.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for baking your delicious kolache cookies.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing egg white and water to seal cookie corners.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up perfectly.
• Sharp Knife or Pastry Cutter: Helps trim dough edges and cut precise squares.

How to Bake Kolache Cookies From Scratch

• Creamy Base

Blend cream cheese and butter until silky smooth, creating a luxurious foundation for these delightful treats. Mix in sweet powdered sugar and vanilla for an irresistible flavor profile.

• Dough Preparation

Gradually fold flour into the creamy mixture, forming a soft and pliable dough. Separate the dough into two equal portions and gently flatten into discs.

• Chilling Time

Wrap each dough disc in plastic and let them rest in the refrigerator. This helps develop rich flavors and ensures perfect texture.

• Dough Transformation

On a lightly dusted surface, roll out the chilled dough. Trim edges and cut into elegant little squares, ready for their delicious filling.

• Jammy Centers

Add a delicate dollop of raspberry jam to the center of each dough square, creating a burst of fruity goodness.

• Cookie Folding

Brush edges with egg white wash, then gracefully fold two corners over the jammy center. This creates a charming little package of sweet deliciousness.

• Golden Baking

Arrange cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake until they turn a beautiful golden color, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

• Final Touch

Once cooled, dust these elegant cookies with a delicate snow of powdered sugar, transforming them into a truly magical treat.

Flavorful Twists for Kolache Cookies

• Kolache Charm Boosters
• Jam Journey: Experiment with different fruit preserves like apricot, strawberry, or blueberry to create unique flavor profiles that make each batch of cookies exciting and personalized.
• Cream Cheese Twist: For extra richness, use full-fat cream cheese and ensure it's at room temperature before mixing to guarantee a smooth, velvety dough that blends perfectly.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These delicate cookies can be prepared ahead of time. Store unbaked shaped cookies in the freezer for up to 2 weeks, then bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time.
• Nutty Nibble Bonus: Sprinkle finely chopped almonds or pecans inside the cookie filling for a delightful crunch that complements the soft, tender cookie texture.
• Storage Savvy: Keep cooled kolache cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate shape and powdered sugar coating.

Serving Kolache Cookies With Style

• Cookie Pairing Paradise: Serve these delicate kolache cookies alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or rich espresso for a delightful afternoon treat that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Festive Gift Idea: Package these beautiful cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, creating a homemade gift perfect for holidays, birthdays, or simple neighbor appreciation moments.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange the kolache cookies on a decorative platter with fresh berries, chocolate truffles, and mint leaves to create an elegant dessert presentation that impresses guests with minimal effort.
• Sweet Brunch Companion: Include these delicate raspberry-filled cookies as part of a weekend brunch spread, complementing fruit salads, quiches, and light morning pastries with their delicate texture and subtle sweetness.

Storing Kolache Cookies for the Week

• Chilling Champions: Store wrapped dough discs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before rolling and baking, ensuring maximum flavor development and texture consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Unbaked shaped cookies can be frozen flat on a baking sheet, then transferred to a sealed container for up to 4 weeks, allowing quick homemade treats anytime.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Fully baked kolache cookies remain fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, maintaining their delicate texture and delightful taste.
• Jam Rotation Tip: Keep multiple jam flavors on hand like apricot, strawberry, or blueberry to create exciting flavor variations without changing the core recipe, adding delicious unpredictability to your baking adventure.

Soft Kolache Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 42 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delightful kolache cookies blend Czech heritage with sweet, buttery pastry filled with fruit preserves. Hearty flavors and tender textures invite companions to savor each delectable bite you’ll treasure.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz (226 g) butter (1 cup), softened (salted butter recommended)
• 2 ½ cups (313 g) flour
• ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (170 g) raspberry jam
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp water
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend cream cheese and butter until smooth, incorporating powdered sugar and vanilla extract to create a uniform, silky mixture. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for one hour to enhance flavor development.
2. Dough Rolling: Unwrap a chilled dough disc and roll on a flour-covered surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Trim into precise 2-inch squares, maintaining clean edges and consistent shape.
3. Filling and Shaping: Deposit a centered dollop of raspberry jam on each square. Brush edges with egg white wash, then elegantly fold two opposite corners toward the center, creating a delicate kolache configuration.
4. Baking Process: Arrange shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately. Slide into a preheated 400-degree oven and bake until edges turn a soft golden brown, approximately 10-12 minutes.
5. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Once cooled to room temperature, delicately dust with powdered sugar, adding a final layer of visual and gustatory sophistication.

Notes

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerating the dough for at least an hour helps develop deeper flavors and makes rolling easier, preventing sticky mishaps.
• Flour Power: Generously dust your work surface to prevent dough from sticking and ensure smooth, clean cuts when shaping cookies.
• Jam Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, seedless raspberry jam for a smooth, elegant filling that complements the delicate cream cheese dough.
• Golden Rule of Baking: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking to achieve that perfect golden-brown edge without burning.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Czech

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 145
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 82 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg