Hungarian Cookie Treasures Recipe

Introduction

Hungarian Cookie Treasures are delightful, tender cookies filled with sweet jam or nut filling. Their buttery cream cheese dough and a dusting of powdered sugar make them an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups real butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups jam or preserves of choice (or nut filling)
• 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Step 1: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter, and sugar. Mix on medium speed until well blended.
2. Step 2: Add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing until evenly incorporated. Remove the dough from the mixer and press it into a ball. Wrap in plastic and allow to rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sprinkle some powdered sugar on a smooth countertop or pastry board and roll dough out to approximately 1/4 inch-thick sheets. Cut the dough into 2-inch circles. Re-roll excess dough as needed.
4. Step 4: Place 1 teaspoonful of jam or preserves in the center of half the circles.
5. Step 5: Wet the cookie edges around the jam or preserves with your finger. Then place a second circle over the jam or preserves and firmly press down around the edges to encompass the filling. Use a fork around the perimeter to seal the filling in tightly, similar to sealing a pie crust. Repeat until all dough is used.
6. Step 6: Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.
7. Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them onto wire racks to cool.
8. Step 8: If desired, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar.
9. Step 9: Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freeze them for long-term storage.

Tips & Variations

• Don’t over-chill the dough; it’s easier to work with closer to room temperature.
• Try different jams like raspberry, apricot, or cherry for flavor variety.
• For a nutty twist, fill the cookies with ground walnut or almond paste instead of jam.
• Use powdered sugar to dust the rolling surface to prevent sticking and add extra sweetness.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and optionally dust with powdered sugar again before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

Butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture. Margarine may alter the taste and consistency, but it can be used in a pinch.

How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?

Be sure to seal the edges firmly with a fork and slightly wetting the dough edges before sealing helps them stick better, reducing the chance of leaks.

Hungarian Cookie Treasures Recipe

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4.5 from 142 reviews

Hungarian Cookie Treasures are delicate, buttery cookies filled with your favorite jam or preserves, sealed perfectly and baked until golden. These cookies are dusted with powdered sugar, offering a delightful balance of sweet, soft filling and crisp edges, making them perfect for any festive occasion or afternoon tea.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 40 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hungarian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups real butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 5 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

• 1 1/2 cups jam or preserves of choice (or nut filling)

Finishing

• 1 cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Mixing cream cheese, butter, and sugar. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened cream cheese, butter, and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until the ingredients are creamy and well blended, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
2. Slowly adding flour. Gradually add the all-purpose flour one cup at a time to the mixture in the mixer, mixing until each addition is evenly incorporated. Once all flour is combined, remove the dough and form it into a ball. Wrap this dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 1 hour to firm up and allow for easier handling.
3. Rolling out dough on the counter. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a smooth countertop or pastry board, sprinkle powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Roll the chilled dough out into sheets about 1/4 inch thick. Using a 2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough. Gather and re-roll any scraps as needed to use all the dough efficiently.
4. Adding jam to the center of the cut-out dough. Place approximately one teaspoon of your chosen jam or preserves onto the center of half the dough circles, preparing them for sealing.
5. Using a fork to seal the cookies. Moisten the edges of the jam-topped circles with a little water using your finger. Then, cover each with a plain dough circle and gently press down around the edges to seal the jam inside. Use the tines of a fork to crimp the perimeter firmly, similar to sealing a pie crust, preventing the filling from leaking during baking.
6. Baking the cookies in the oven. Arrange the sealed cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges.
7. Cookies cooling on a wire rack. Remove the baked cookies from the oven and transfer them carefully onto wire racks. Allow them to cool completely to set their shape and texture.
8. Cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar for a classic finishing touch that enhances their sweetness and presentation.
9. Extra cookies in an air-tight container. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container. For long-term storage, freeze them to maintain freshness. Otherwise, keep them refrigerated until ready to serve to preserve their texture and flavor.

Notes

• Do not over-chill the dough; working with it closer to room temperature makes rolling and cutting easier.
• Powdered sugar sprinkled under the dough helps prevent sticking to the surface.
• You can customize the filling by using any jam, preserves, or even nut-based fillings of your choice.
• Make sure to seal the edges tightly with water and fork crimping to prevent filling leakage during baking.
• Cookies keep well for several days refrigerated and up to months if frozen properly in airtight containers.

Keywords: Hungarian cookies, jam-filled cookies, cream cheese cookies, festive desserts, traditional Hungarian pastry