Indulge in these delightful cookies made with cream cheese, butter, flour, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and your favorite jam.
Growing up, family gatherings were always the highlight of my childhood. The laughter, the stories, and the mouthwatering aromas that filled the house are memories I cherish to this day. Among the various treats, my grandmother’s cookies always stood out. They were buttery, rich, and filled with a dollop of sweet jam that made each bite a little piece of heaven. Inspired by those cherished moments, I created these “Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies.” They bring back the warmth and love of family gatherings with every bite. I remember the first time I made them for a family reunion; the reaction was incredible. Everyone was transported back to those joyous times, and the cookies quickly became a new family favorite. Now, I’m excited to share this recipe with you, hoping it brings as much joy to your gatherings as it has to ours.
What makes this Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies special ?
The “Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies” stand out for several reasons:
- Rich and Creamy Texture: The combination of cream cheese and butter creates an incredibly rich and creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
- Versatile Flavor: The use of your favorite jam allows for endless flavor variations, making each batch unique.
- Easy to Serve: These cookies are perfect for gatherings as they are easy to serve and enjoy without the need for utensils.
- Traditional Charm: Inspired by traditional Czech recipes, these cookies bring a touch of cultural heritage to your table.
- Beautiful Presentation: The folded dough and vibrant jam center make these cookies as visually appealing as they are delicious.
What do you need to make this Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies special:
When making the “Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies,” it’s important to pay attention to the ingredients to ensure the best results.
Key Ingredients:
- Cream Cheese: Adds a rich, tangy flavor and a creamy texture to the dough. Make sure it’s softened for easier mixing.
- Butter: Use salted butter for an extra layer of flavor. It should also be softened to blend well with the other ingredients.
- Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies. Be sure to use extra for flouring your work surface to prevent sticking.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies with its sweet, aromatic notes.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.
- Jam: Use your favorite jam or preserves. The variety of flavors you can use makes each batch unique and customizable.
- Powdered Sugar: Optional, for a decorative dusting that adds a touch of sweetness and elegance.
Pro Tip: Refrigerate the dough for at least two hours to make it easier to handle and roll out. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect texture.
Steps to make this Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies
Making “Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies” is a straightforward process, but taking the time to follow each step carefully will ensure the best results.
Preparation:
Begin by combining the softened cream cheese, butter, flour, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl. You can also use a food processor to pulse the ingredients until smooth. Once combined, shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to overnight. This chilling period is essential as it allows the dough to firm up, making it easier to handle and roll out.
Rolling and Shaping:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and sprinkle some flour on your work surface to prevent the dough from sticking. Divide the chilled dough in half, keeping one half in the refrigerator to stay cool while you work with the other. Roll out the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness, ensuring it’s even throughout. Using a knife or a cookie cutter, cut the dough into squares, each roughly 2 1/2 inches on each side. Re-form any scraps into a ball and re-roll them to maximize the dough.
Filling and Folding:
Place the dough squares onto a lined jelly roll pan, leaving some space between each piece. Place a small dollop of your chosen jam in the center of each square. Fold two opposite corners of each square towards the center, pinching them together gently to secure the filling inside. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and jam, re-rolling any extra dough to make additional squares.
Baking:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow them to cool for at least an hour to set properly.
Finishing Touches:
If desired, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar using a sieve. This step adds a touch of sweetness and a decorative finish, making the cookies even more appealing.
Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 stick salted butter softened
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus additional for flouring
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons jam of choice
- Powdered sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Preparation of Dough:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, and granulated sugar until a smooth dough forms. Alternatively, this mixture can be pulsed in a food processor.
- Form the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or up to overnight. Note that the dough will be very soft.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Rolling and Cutting the Dough:
- Sprinkle flour onto a clean work surface.
- Divide the chilled dough into two halves. Place one half back into the refrigerator to remain chilled.
- Roll out the first half of the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
- Using a knife or a cookie cutter, cut the rolled dough into approximately 12 squares, each roughly 2 1/2 inches square. Re-form any leftover dough into a ball and re-roll as needed to maximize usage.
- Assembling the Cookies:
- Place the dough squares onto a lined jelly roll pan.
- Add a small dollop of your chosen jam in the center of each square.
- Fold two opposite corners of each square to meet in the middle, gently pressing them together to secure the filling.
- Repeat this process with the remaining dough and jam, ensuring even distribution of the jam filling.
- Baking the Cookies:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process should take approximately 1 hour.
- Final Touches:
- If desired, lightly dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar using a fine sieve for a decorative finish.
- By adhering to these detailed instructions, you will produce refined and delectable "Czech-Inspired Delight Cookies" that are sure to impress at any gathering.