UPDATE: Sister Rose Bartnicki, 87, is sharing her cherished recipe for traditional Polish cookies at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Spring Township, and the community is buzzing with excitement. This beloved nun has opened her convent kitchen to teach parishioners how to craft perfect kolaczki, a flaky pastry traditionally enjoyed during the holiday season.
Just recently, Sister Bartnicki hosted two intimate sessions, guiding small groups of eager learners through her time-tested techniques. These classes have sparked a wave of enthusiasm among women at the parish, many of whom have long admired her cookie-making skills and sought to replicate them.
Growing up in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, Sister Bartnicki recalls the significance of kolaczki during family celebrations from Thanksgiving through Easter. “They were a staple of our holiday festivities,” she explained, adding that the cookies are especially popular in Polish-American households.
The heart of her cooking philosophy is simplicity — Sister Bartnicki avoids leavening agents like baking powder, ensuring the cookies maintain their delicate texture.
“Patience is key,” she emphasized to her students. “You can’t rush it. It all depends on how you roll the dough.” With the right tools, including a specially designed cookie cutter, participants learned to roll out the dough to less than one-quarter inch, ideally around one-eighth inch. This precision is crucial for the perfect kolaczki.
Sister Bartnicki also highlighted a common pitfall: not allowing enough time to properly roll out the dough, which can be made ahead and frozen. “Rolling the dough is critical,” she said. “If you don’t do it right, the cookies won’t turn out.”
During the sessions, joy filled the kitchen as participants rolled, cut, and folded their pastry creations. “Both groups really enjoyed it,” Sister Bartnicki stated. “They had a marvelous time working together.”
With the popularity of these classes surging, the community is eager for more opportunities to learn from Sister Bartnicki. As the holiday season approaches, many are hopeful they can master the art of making kolaczki, creating sweet memories of their own.
This initiative not only preserves a cherished family tradition but also strengthens community bonds. Follow St. Ignatius Loyola Parish for future classes and to experience the magic of Sister Bartnicki’s baking firsthand.
