Rugelach

What is a Rugelach?
It's a cookie made with cream cheese dough, rolled around a filling of a variety of nuts, dried fruit, chocolate and jam.

I came across this recipe from Dorie Greenspan book. I wondered what it would taste like.
No wondering anymore! I baked it today and had a yummy time savouring a few pieces!

Ingredients: (from Dorie's)

For the Dough:

4 ozs cold cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces
1 stick butter (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Let cream cheese and butter softenn slightly.

2. Put flour and salt in a food processor and scatter cream cheese and butter and pulse the machine for 6 to 10 times or until the dough forms large pieces. Do not let it form into a ball.

3. Gather dough into a ball (no kneading) and divide it in half. Shape each half into a disk and wrap in cling wrap individually and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 1 day.


For the Filling:

2/3 cup raspberry jam/ apricot jam/ marmalade, microwaved for 20s to liquefy
2 tablespoons sugar, mixed with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped nuts (I used pecan)
1/4 cup moist dried currants (I used mixed fruit which is soaked in liquor meant for fruit cake)
4 ozs mini chocolate chips

Set aside until dough is ready.

For the Glaze:

1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon cold water
2 tablespoons coarse sugar for sprinkling


To shape the cookies:

1. Take one piece of dough and leave the other piece in the refrigerator.

2. On a floured surface, place a plastic sheet over the dough and roll it out into a 11 to 12 inch circle.(I rolled a 10-inch). Dough tends to soften quickly and get sticky.

3. Spoon a thin layer of jam over the dough and sprinkle half the sugar mixture. Scatter half the nuts, currants and chocolate chips. Place plastic sheet over and gently press the filling into the dough.

4. Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 16 pieces. ( Easier to cut into quarters, then cut each quarter into 4 pieces)

5. Starting from the circumference, roll each piece to the centre. Remove and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Glaze with egg and sprinkle some coarse sugar.

7. Bake in preheated oven 160deg C for 20 to 25 minutes.

All for Rugelach!

Unglazed!

Glazed and baked! They look like grilled ribs!