Strawberry Kolache Cookies

Description
These cookies are absolutely beautiful. You can actually use whatever kind of preserves you wish, but make sure that they are PRESERVES :-) You will love the look of these beautiful cookies! Prep time doesnt include chill time. Cook time is for one batch.



Ingredients

 * 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
 * 1 cup butter, softened
 * 1/4 cup sugar
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt
 * 1 (0.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
 * 1/2 cup warm milk (110 degrees F)
 * 1 large egg
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
 * 1 large egg, well beaten

Glaze


 * 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
 * 1 teaspoon almond extract
 * 2 1/2 teaspoons milk

Directions

 * First, Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
 * In a large bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar and salt.
 * With your hand mixer, beat the flour, butter, sugar and salt until it looks like coarse crumbs.
 * Dissolve yeast in your 1/2 cup warm milk in a small bowl.
 * Stir in 1 egg and vanilla.
 * Add milk mixture to flour mixture, and then beat at low speed until mixed thoroughly.
 * Divide dough in half (you will have two chunks of dough), cover with wax paper, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
 * Remove from refrigerator and roll dough out on a lightly floured surface, one half at a time, to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness.
 * Cut dough into 3-inch squares, and then top each with 1 teaspoon of your strawberry preserves.
 * Bring up 2 opposite corners of each square to center and then pinch tightly to seal.
 * Place the finished cookie onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper placing them around 2 inches apart.
 * Brush each cookie lightly with the beaten egg.
 * Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until golden brown.
 * Cool completely.
 * Combine powdered sugar, almond extract and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in small bowl (approximately 2 1/2 teaspoons).
 * Drizzle this glaze lightly over cooled cookies.
 * ENJOY THESE BEAUTIFUL COOKIES!