Rolled Food Part 2: Rugelach
I was on a “roll” with rolled food…get it? On a “roll”? So I decided that I would follow stromboli with rugelach. Ok, anyway…I have never made rugelach. Traditionally this dessert is made with apricot jam, but I am not a fan of apricot, so I used raspberry jam and walnuts. No raisins. I adapted this recipe from Ina Garten’s rugelah recipe from the Food Network.
I enjoyed making these cookies. I liked rolling up the little wedges and liked the size and rich flavor of these lovely little cookies.
This recipe is easy. The only hard part was rolling out the dough, and that won’t be a problem if you’ve ever rolled out dough before.
Rugelach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2-pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup raspberry preserves
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges–cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.