Apricot Kolaches – A Christmas Cookie

I had different (healthier) plans for today’s post however these very little, two-bite Hungarian Christmas Cookies (Kiffles / Kolaches) square measure simply too smart to not share immediately! thus smart, in fact, there have been only enough left to photograph this morning! [Oops]

Sweet, crisp and addicting, these Apricot Kolaches square measure sensational! The apricot filling is simply the correct quantity of sweet to line off the flaky, buttery pastry.

The sugar caramelized on all-time low and therefore the ensuing flavor combination are a few things I’ve ne'er skilled. it's no surprise that my Husband remembers these kolaches from see you later agone. they're actually one thing special.

I created a standard Hungarian apricot filling however next time I’m planning to strive apple and cherry (in addition to apricot, obviously)!

INGREDIENTS:

For the Pastry:

• 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar for rolling

For the Apricot Filling:

• 1 lb dried apricots
• 1 cup sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

To make the Apricot Filling:

1. Place dried apricots in a small saucepan and pour in just enough water to cover the apricots. Boil until the apricots are soft. Do not let all the water evaporate. Add a little bit more to keep the filling from burning if necessary.
2. Add the sugar and continue to cook until thick.
3. Either puree in a food processor or with an immersion blender in a bowl. If the filling is too runny, return it to the sauce pot to continue to cook.
4. Note: You can make the filling ahead of time and freeze it until you are ready to use it. Just thaw at room temperature when you are ready to use.

For the Pastry Dough:

1. Sift flour and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. Beat the cream cheese and butter together with a stand mixer or a hand mixer until completely incorporated and creamy (3-5 minutes).
3. Reduce the speed of the mixer and slowly add in the flour. I used 5 additions and completely mixed in the flour each time. The dough will be soft but not sticky.
4. Divide the dough into 4 equal parts and flatten each to ¾” thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until hard, at least 2 hours.

Assembling the Kolaches:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375°. Move the oven rack one setting higher than the center.
2. Take one of the disks of dough from the refrigerator and lightly flour both sides. Spread granulated sugar on your pastry board or work surface. Place the dough on top and roll out pastry to 1/16” to 1/8” thick. Most recipes say 1/8” but my Husband remembered them being thinner.
3. With a pastry wheel or sharp knife, trim the dough into a square and then cut the square into 16 smaller squares. My dough never rolled out into a perfect circle so I would just cut as many 1 1/2 “ squares as possible, saving the scraps for later.
4. Place a dollop of filling into the center of each square. I used ½ teaspoon to ¾ teaspoon for each.
5. Gently grab two opposite corners and fold one over the other, gently pressing down to try and seal them together. Gently move it to a parchment covered baking sheet. Repeat with all remaining squares, placing the kolaches no closer than 1” apart.
6. Sprinkle the middles of the kolaches with just a touch of granulated sugar.
7. Bake 12-14 minutes or until the bottom edges are a golden and you can smell them. Let cool slightly on the pan on a wire rack and then move them gently to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Repeat with all remaining dough. Refrigerate and re-roll your scraps. Amazing.

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