Why You’ll Love these Eastern European Kolache Cookies
If you’ve never tried kolache cookies before, you’re in for a real treat. These delightful pastries strike the perfect balance between buttery, flaky dough and sweet, fruity filling. I’m particularly fond of the apricot version, though any pie filling works beautifully.
What makes these cookies special? It’s the cream cheese in the dough, creating a tender texture that simply melts in your mouth. They’re surprisingly easy to make, too. Just mix, chill, roll, fill, and bake. No fancy equipment needed—a drinking glass works perfectly for cutting the dough.
I love how these cookies look so impressive but don’t require advanced baking skills. The dusting of powdered sugar adds that final touch of elegance, making them perfect for holidays, gatherings, or just because.
What Ingredients are in Eastern European Kolache Cookies?
Eastern European kolache cookies are a delightful treat with a rich, buttery dough and sweet fruit filling that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or weekend baking projects. These traditional cookies showcase the beautiful marriage of a tender, cream cheese-enriched pastry with vibrant fruit preserves, creating a dessert that’s both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying to bite into.
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters—especially for the butter and cream cheese, which form the foundation of the dough’s rich texture. The recipe specifically mentions apricot filling as being “especially good,” but you could certainly experiment with other fruit fillings like cherry, blueberry, or strawberry depending on your preference. And don’t forget the powdered sugar for dusting at the end! It adds that perfect finishing touch that makes these cookies look as special as they taste.
- 1 cup butter
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 (12 ounce) cans pie filling (apricot is recommended)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make these Eastern European Kolache Cookies
To prepare these delightful kolache cookies, start by creaming together 1 cup of butter and an 8-ounce package of cream cheese until they’re smooth and fluffy. Then add 1 tablespoon of milk, 1 teaspoon of almond extract, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 egg yolk to the mixture. There’s something so satisfying about watching these ingredients blend together into a rich, creamy base.
Once combined, gradually incorporate 1½ cups of flour and mix until you have a soft, pliable dough. The dough needs a brief chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes—just enough time to preheat your oven to 400°F and gather your filling.
After chilling, roll the dough onto a floured surface. Not too thin, not too thick—about ¼ inch is perfect. Use a round or square cookie cutter to create your shapes, though honestly, the rim of a floured drinking glass works wonderfully for this purpose. No need for fancy equipment! Place a tablespoon of pie filling (apricot is particularly delicious, though you’ll need two 12-ounce cans for the full recipe) in the center of each dough circle. Now comes the slightly tricky part—pinch two opposite sides together to create that distinctive kolache shape. The dough might resist a bit, but gentle pressure does the trick.
Bake these little treasures for 10-14 minutes until they’re just golden around the edges. For even baking results, consider using cast iron cookware which distributes heat beautifully throughout the oven. You’ll know they’re done when they’ve a slight blush of color but still maintain their tenderness. After cooling completely on a wire rack, dust them with a light snowfall of powdered sugar. This final touch not only adds sweetness but gives them that classic European pastry look. The contrast between the buttery, cream cheese-enriched dough and the fruity filling creates a perfect balance of flavors that makes these cookies absolutely irresistible. Who could stop at just one?
Eastern European Kolache Cookies Substitutions and Variations
While these traditional kolache cookies are absolutely wonderful as written, there’s plenty of room for personalization and adaptation. I love how versatile this recipe can be with just a few simple swaps.
Don’t have apricot filling? No problem. Try cherry, blueberry, or even strawberry pie filling for delicious alternatives. You can also make homemade fillings if you’re feeling ambitious.
Swap the almond extract for vanilla if that’s more your speed, or try lemon for a brighter flavor profile.
For a nutty twist, sprinkle some finely chopped walnuts or pecans into the filling before baking. And if you’re dairy-sensitive, plant-based butter and cream cheese substitutes work surprisingly well. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be tasty.
Sometimes the best recipes are the ones we make our own.
What to Serve with Eastern European Kolache Cookies
When should you serve these delightful little pastries, and what companions do they need? I find kolaches work perfectly at afternoon tea or coffee time, where their buttery, cream cheese base contrasts beautifully with a robust cup of Earl Grey or a strong Czech coffee. Think of them as the star of your dessert spread.
For brunch gatherings, I love setting out a platter of these cookies alongside fresh fruit—particularly berries that complement the apricot filling. They’re also wonderful as part of a holiday cookie assortment, where their powdery white tops look festive among other treats.
Need a simple pairing? A small glass of dessert wine or even a shot of slivovitz (plum brandy) makes these Eastern European treats truly authentic. Sometimes, the simplest accompaniments let great pastry shine.
Final Thoughts
Every tradition has its special treats, and these Eastern European kolache cookies truly represent the heart of Old World baking. There’s something magical about the way the cream cheese dough cradles that sweet fruit filling, don’t you think?
The contrast between the buttery, tender pastry and the bright, jammy center creates a perfect harmony of flavors. I love how these cookies bridge generations, connecting us to kitchens of the past while creating new memories.
Whether you choose traditional apricot filling or experiment with cherry, blueberry, or even nutella, these little parcels of joy never disappoint. They’re perfect for holidays, weekend baking projects, or anytime you need a bite-sized comfort food. Simple to make, yet impressive to serve. What could be better than that?