🍫 Chocolate Cherry Kolackies Recipe 🍒
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies
Calories per Serving: 130.4
Description:
These Chocolate Cherry Kolackies are rich little goodies! A delightful specialty passed down from my mother, sometimes she gets creative using an assortment of different jams and fillings to make them extra special.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | Flour |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Baking soda |
| 1/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1/4 cup | Butter, softened |
| 1/2 cup | Cream cheese, softened |
| 3/4 cup | Granulated sugar |
| 1/3 cup | Cocoa powder |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| – | Powdered sugar for dusting |
Instructions:
-
Melt the Chocolate:
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate, stirring until smooth; then set it aside.
-
Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set this dry mixture aside.
-
Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese:
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
-
Add Sugar and Flavors:
- Beat in the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Blend in the vanilla extract and the previously melted chocolate.
-
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed just until everything is well combined.
-
Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disc shape.
- Wrap each disc separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until the dough becomes firm.
-
Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
-
Roll and Cut the Dough:
- On a well-floured surface, roll out each piece of dough to a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/8 inch.
- Using a 3-inch cookie cutter (scalloped edges make them look pretty), cut the dough into rounds.
-
Assemble the Kolackies:
- Place the rounds 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Add a rounded 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite jam in the center of each dough circle.
-
Fold and Seal:
- Bring three edges of the dough circle up over the jam, forming a triangle shape.
- Pinch the edges together firmly to seal the filling inside, leaving the center of the triangle open.
-
Bake to Perfection:
- Bake the kolackies for about 10 minutes, or until they are set. Be sure to watch them closely to prevent overbaking.
-
Cool and Dust:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes.
- Transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Just before serving, dust the kolackies with powdered sugar for that extra touch of sweetness.
-
Serve and Store:
- These Chocolate Cherry Kolackies are best served fresh.
- Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator.
- Before serving leftovers, let them stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften slightly.
Tips:
- Experiment with different flavors of jam or fillings to create your own unique kolackies.
- For a festive touch, sprinkle some colored sugar on top before baking.
- These cookies freeze well, so you can make a batch ahead of time for future indulgence!
Enjoy these delightful Chocolate Cherry Kolackies as a sweet treat with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, or share them with loved ones for a special occasion. The combination of rich chocolate, creamy cream cheese, and fruity cherry jam is sure to impress! 🍪✨
