This Kolacky recipe is a traditional Czech pastry made with a simple cream cheese dough and filled with your favorite pastry filling. A beloved holiday treat, these pastries are easy to make and perfect for sharing.

#### Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

- 2 (3 oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature

- Pastry filling of choice (Solo-brand prune filling recommended)

#### Directions:

1. **Prepare Dough**:

   - Allow the butter and cream cheese to come to room temperature.

   - In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and well combined.

   - Gradually add the flour to the butter and cream cheese mixture, mixing well. The dough will become thick and may require using your hands to mix thoroughly.

2. **Chill Dough**:

   - After the dough is well mixed, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to make it easier to handle.

3. **Roll and Cut Dough**:

   - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

   - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.

   - Cut the rolled dough into 2-inch squares.

4. **Fill and Fold Pastries**:

   - Place a small amount of your chosen pastry filling in the center of each square, positioning it diagonally.

   - Fold two opposite corners of the square over the filling, overlapping them slightly in the center.

5. **Bake Pastries**:

   - Place the filled and folded pastries on an ungreased baking sheet.

   - Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottoms of the pastries are golden brown.

6. **Cool and Serve**:

   - Allow the kolacky to cool on a wire rack.

   - Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

#### Tips:

- **Handling Dough**: Keeping the dough chilled helps to handle and shape it more easily.

- **Filling Variations**: Experiment with different fillings like apricot, raspberry, or poppy seed to suit your taste.

- **Storage**: Store in an airtight container to keep the pastries fresh.

Enjoy your delightful homemade kolacky, perfect for holiday gatherings or a special treat any time of the year!