Ciasteczka Maslane z Dzemem (Polish Butter Cookies With Jam) Recipe

These delicious Polish butter cookies are a special treat during the end-of-the-year holidays and are shared by friends and family especially during Christmas, although you might find them year-round in bakeries, as they are a national favorite that is also very easy to make. Similar to classic American thumbprint jam cookies, these flavorful Polish treats have a small roundish imprint in the center where the jam is placed before baking. Though strawberry is traditional, if what you have at hand is blackberry or apricot jam that would also make a delicious treat. A few baking staples and jam is all that's needed to make these cookies. You also might need some chilling time if the batter proves to be too soft to shape after mixed, but the final result is worth the wait. Serve them as a side to ice cream or enjoy them on their own with a cup of coffee or a tall glass of cold milk. There's no wrong way of eating these cookies. Gather your family and be ready to eat quite a few, as this recipe yields approximately 60 small cookies.

Called ciasteczka maślane z dżemem in Polish (chahss-TETCH-kah mahsh-LAH-neh z JEM-em) they are easily mixed in a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, though the globe can help cream the butter faster. If mixing by hand, be sure to cream the butter thoroughly before adding any of the other ingredients. When shaping the cookies, you can either use the scooping method as we did or place the dough in a piping bag with a large star tip, making a round circular piped cookie with enough space to hold the jam in the center. Either way, they are pretty and delicious. Alternatively, wet your hands and make little balls, place them on the baking sheet, and lightly press with your finger to make a circle with an inverse dome in the center.

Many traditional Polish confections are similar to sweets founds in other countries in Europe but are made to suit the local taste with available ingredients. Similar cookies are found in Germany, Bulgaria, and Austria. North America has its own share of thumbprint cookies, filled with many types of jams and spreads. So if you feel like changing up your cookie game, use our Polish dough to make the cookies, and fill them with other flavors like chocolate spread, dulce de leche, caramel fudge, or a very classic American flavor in the form of peanut butter and jelly. If you're lucky enough to have any leftovers, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.