POLISH KOLACHE RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine flour and baking powder. Beat butter, cream cheese and granulated sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
• Divide dough into thirds; shape each into ball. Flatten each ball slightly; wrap separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Roll out 1 ball of dough into 1/8-inch thickness on lightly floured surface. Cut into 2-1/2-inch squares, rerolling trimmings as necessary. Spoon about 1/2 tsp. pastry filling onto center of each square. Use finger tip to lightly moisten 2 opposite corners of each dough square with water, then overlap corners in center and press together to seal. Place, filling sides up and 1 inch apart, on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake 13 to 15 min. or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 3 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
• Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar before serving.

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese, butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour and salt until combined. Divide the dough between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Flatten into 1/2-inch-thick disks and wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with more flour as needed. Cut out 2 1/2-inch squares using a sharp knife or a 2 1/2-inch square cutter. Lift the cutouts using an offset spatula and arrange 2 inches apart on one of the prepared pans. Gather the scraps and refrigerate.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon preserves onto the center of each cutout. Fold in two opposite corners to overlap in the middle and press down to seal, spreading the preserves slightly. Sprinkle the dough with coarse sugar.
• Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until the cookies are puffed and the edges are golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pan, then remove the cookies to a rack to cool completely. 
• Repeat with the other disk of dough, plus the reserved scraps, to make more cookies.