Cheater Almost Kolaches
Discover the ultimate shortcut to indulgence with these Cheater Almost Kolaches, a delightful twist on the classic Czech pastry that saves you time without sacrificing flavor. Using store-bought crescent roll dough as the base, this versatile recipe makes it easy to create both sweet and savory kolaches in under 30 minutes. The creamy, lightly sweetened filling—made with softened cream cheese, sugar, and a touch of vanilla—can be paired with your choice of fruity preserves for a luscious treat or with smoky sausage or ham for a savory snack. A quick brush of melted butter adds golden richness to these pillowy bites, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an anytime indulgence. Whether you're craving something sweet or savory, these easy homemade kolaches deliver bakery-quality flavor with minimal effort!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz store-bought refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 0.25 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.25 cup fruit preserves or jam (optional, for sweet version)
- 1 cup cooked sausage links or diced ham (optional, for savory version)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Open the can of crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles as marked. If you'd prefer circular kolaches, pinch the perforated edges of the triangles together to form rectangles, then cut circles out using the rim of a glass or a cookie cutter.
In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This will serve as the base for the filling.
If making sweet kolaches, spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each dough triangle or circle. Top with a small dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of fruit preserves or jam.
If making savory kolaches, spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each dough triangle or circle. Add a small piece of cooked sausage or a sprinkle of diced ham.
Fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling, pinching to seal it. For the classic kolache shape, leave a small amount of the filling exposed at the top.
Place the kolaches on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Brush the tops lightly with melted butter before placing in the oven.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and puffed.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy these warm for the best experience!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3741 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 251.4 g | 322% | |
| Saturated Fat | 119.8 g | 599% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 481 mg | 160% | |
| Sodium | 6563 mg | 285% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 287.0 g | 104% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 120.4 g | ||
| Protein | 72.2 g | 144% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 290 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 12.9 mg | 72% | |
| Potassium | 713 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
