Great Grandma Ruthardt's Cookies- Kolackys and Chocolate Cookies

Tuesday was my Great Grandmother's birthday. I don't remember her at all, but I do remember my mom making these cookies for us when we were little. My mom remembers her in the kitchen, always with a cheerful smile, making delicious treats. We decided to make these cookies to remember her and to honor her birthday. The Kolackys were one of my favorite treats as a child and making them brought back a flood of great memories. They are small, but so rich and buttery, with just a touch of powdered sugar and fruit filling on the top. Fruit filling is essential, because it doesn't melt from the heat of the oven (sorry, jam just won't work- but fruit flavored pastry filling will)

The Chocolate Cookies called for Crisco, which I never use, but we decided to stay true to the recipe and indulge (I used the butter flavored sticks). I am sure you could substitute butter. They also called for a quick frosting- butter, milk, powdered sugar and vanilla, but I had leftover white chocolate buttercream from last week , so I warmed it up, added a little milk, and made it work.


Kolacky

1/2 pound butter, 2 sticks, at room temperature

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

fruit filling (such as Solo) usually comes in a 12 oz can

Mix and knead. Roll 1/4 inch thick and cut with a 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter or small glass. Put filling in the center on top. Bake 10-15 minutes at 425 degrees. Cool on cooking rack. Sift powdered sugar on top when done.

Gran's Chocolate Cookies

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup Crisco, melted (or butter)

4 T cocoa

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

1 t baking soda

pinch salt

1 t vanilla

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup raisins

Melt Crisco, brown sugar, and cocoa together, over low heat. Remove from heat. Sift together flour, soda, and salt. Add egg and sifted ingredients, alternately with milk. Add vanilla and raisins. Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 F. Watch and don't over bake! Cool on cooling rack. Frost with a quick frosting of butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla or sprinkle with powdered sugar.