Kolachy Cream Cheese Cherry Recipe
Overview:
This delightful Kolachy Cream Cheese Cherry recipe is a cherished Czech gem, originating from a treasured exchange with a Polish friend back in 1965. 🇨🇿🍒 It’s a sweet and tangy pastry, boasting a creamy cheese filling and a burst of fruity cherry preserves, all nestled within a tender, golden crust. Each bite is a nostalgic journey through time and culture, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests at any occasion.
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 72 cookies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves
Instructions:
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Preparation: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Ensure they are well incorporated.
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Cream Cheese Mixture: In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the cream cheese mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least three hours. Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and roll out.
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Rolling Out the Dough: Once chilled, divide the dough into quarters. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one quarter of the dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Repeat with the remaining quarters.
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Cutting Out Shapes: Using a cookie cutter or a floured glass, cut out circles from the rolled-out dough. Make a small indent in the center of each round with your finger.
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Adding Cherry Preserves: Place 1/4 teaspoon of cherry preserves in the center indent of each dough round. Be careful not to overfill, as too much filling can cause the cookies to spill over during baking.
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Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the filled dough rounds on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
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Cooling: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving, as the cherry preserves will be hot.
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Enjoy: Indulge in these delightful Kolachy Cream Cheese Cherry cookies as a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee, or share them with loved ones for a taste of Eastern European nostalgia. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 56.1
- Total Fat: 3.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 16.2mg
- Sodium: 56.7mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 4.7g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Protein: 0.8g
Tips and Variations:
- For a twist on tradition, try using different fruit preserves such as apricot, raspberry, or blueberry.
- If you prefer a sweeter filling, you can sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar on top of each cookie before baking.
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes for a fun presentation. Try using a heart-shaped cutter for Valentine’s Day or a star-shaped cutter for Christmas.
- These cookies can also be frozen after baking. Simply allow them to cool completely, then store them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Conclusion:
With its rich history and irresistible flavors, this Kolachy Cream Cheese Cherry recipe is a true testament to the joys of culinary tradition and friendship. Whether enjoyed as a special treat or shared with others, each bite is sure to evoke fond memories and create new ones for generations to come.
