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Discover the Delight of Rugelach Cookies
Rugelach are delightful Jewish pastries that burst with sweet, buttery goodness! These charming cookies feature a cream cheese pastry dough filled with a delectable mixture of walnuts, raisins, cinnamon, and sugar, all rolled into adorable crescent shapes.
As they bake, rugelach transforms into a flaky crust that melts in your mouth. The combination of sugars and walnuts creates an irresistible flavor profile that perfectly complements each bite. Walnuts shine in both sweet and savory dishes; I love incorporating them into banana bread or fudge. If you’re looking for another tasty treat to try, don’t miss my honey walnut shrimp!
What Exactly is Rugelach?
The name “rugelach” comes from the Yiddish word “rugel,” which translates to “royal.” This traditional cookie features a rich cream cheese and butter pastry dough that bakes beautifully as the sugars, raisins, and cinnamon meld together inside. You’ll adore rugelach for its sweet filling paired with a light and flaky exterior.
Biting into these treats is akin to enjoying the best crust from your favorite pie! I particularly enjoy making them during the holiday season; they’re perfect for cookie exchanges! If you need more ideas for cookie exchange recipes, consider bringing Twix cookies, butter pecan cookies or my popular Grinch cookies!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Rugelach
While rugelach may seem sophisticated at first glance, you’ll find that its ingredients are quite simple—most likely already in your pantry! The blend of cream cheese and butter creates an ideal pastry dough that’s sure to impress everyone who tries it.
Dough Components:
- Cream Cheese: A surprising yet perfect base for pastry dough. - Unsalted Butter: Opting for unsalted ensures better control over flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: This flour yields optimal results.
- Granulated Sugar: Just enough sweetness enhances the dough’s flavor.
- Salt: A pinch balances out all flavors beautifully.
Filling Ingredients:
- Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: Together they create a delightful sweetness.
- Raisins: Their natural sweetness adds texture.
- Walnuts (or Pecans): These nuts soften during baking while adding richness; feel free to substitute if desired!
- Ground Cinnamon: An essential spice that elevates this recipe!
Easy Rugelach Recipe
Although making rugelach might seem daunting due to multiple steps involved, you’ll find it comes together quickly—and you can even freeze some dough for later use! This recipe yields plenty of cute little cookies perfect for sharing at gatherings.
Dough Preparation:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a food processor mix flour, sugar & salt on low speed until combined (3–4 pulses).
- Add Cream Cheese & Butter: Incorporate chilled cubed cream cheese & butter until crumbly (pea-sized).
- Knead Dough: Transfer mixture onto a clean surface; knead just until cohesive.
- Chill Dough: Divide into three disks wrapped in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1–2 hours or overnight.
Filling Preparation:
- Clean Food Processor: Rinse out before adding filling ingredients—sugars, raisins walnuts & cinnamon.
- Mix Filling Ingredients: Process until finely chopped then transfer to bowl; cover while waiting on dough chilling time.
Assembly & Baking Steps:
- Preheat Oven: Set oven temperature at 350°F (175°C) while lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: Take one disk from fridge; roll on floured surface into 10–12 inch circle (~⅛ inch thick). Use flour underneath as needed!
- Spread Filling Evenly: Apply ⅓ portion across circle’s surface firmly pressing down slightly so it adheres well! 4 Cut Wedges & Roll Up Cookies: Slice circle evenly into 12 wedges then roll each wedge starting from wide end towards pointed tip placing them spaced apart on prepared sheets! 5 Bake Until Golden Brown!: Cook rugs about 25–30 minutes till tops turn light golden brown/crisp bottoms appear! 6 Cool Completely Before Serving!: Allow cooling completely before indulging!
Tips For Success And Variations
Creating traditional rugelach is straightforward but here are some tips ensuring success:
Chill Your Dough: Proper chilling allows fats solidify again leading flakier results after baking—don’t skip this step!
Press Down On Fillings: Since fillings can be coarse/dry press firmly onto rolled-out dough ensuring adherence throughout rolling process too!
Roll Tightly: Keep rolls snug preventing unraveling during cooking phase which could lead messy outcomes later…
Experiment With Fillings! Feel free swap nuts/fruits/spices based personal preference creating unique variations every time made fresh batch!!
Storing Leftover Cookies
You’ll likely fall head over heels in love with these scrumptious treats—but if any remain:
Room Temperature Storage – Place leftover rugelah within airtight container lasting up five days without losing crunchiness!
Freezing Option Available Too – Wrap discs tightly using layers plastic wrap followed by foil then ziplock bag storing up three months easily thawed overnight fridge prior continuing recipe steps when ready again enjoy freshly baked goodness!!
Feel free pin this recipe now so you can revisit later when craving something special like homemade Rugelah!!