KOLACKY POLISH CHRISTMAS COOKIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 356°F / 180°C
• Sift the flour onto a pastry board and chop the butter in (like you would do for a shortcrust pastry). 
• Add cream cheese and egg yolk and knead the dough quickly. If necessary - sprinkle with flour. To make the dough easier to roll out, wrap it into cling film and place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
• Roll out the dough into a thickness of 3-4 mm (1/8 inch). Cut the dough in 2 1/2 inch squares. Transfer the squares to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Put a teaspoon of jam on the centre of each square, and wrap the corners -one on top of the other - to create an open envelope.
• Bake for 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. On low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until mixed. The dough will be soft and sticky.
• 2. Divide the dough in half. Pat each half into a thick disk and wrap separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm enough to handle, at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray cookie sheets.
• 4. Dust a pastry cloth or board with flour or confectioners' sugar. Remove 1 dough disk from the refrigerator and place it on the pastry cloth. Keep the remaining dough disk refrigerated. Roll out the dough into a square or rectangle 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2-inch squares.
• 5. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each square. Pull 2 opposite corners of the square into the middle, and pinch the edges together to seal. Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
• 6. Bake in the center of the oven until lightly golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheets for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Dust the tops with sifted confectioners' sugar while still warm, then let cool completely.