Rugelach and The Days Before Christmas


I’m sitting alone in my kitchen gathering my thoughts, it’s early in the morning. There a mental list playing around and around in my head; the last remaining details. It’s down to the wire and this post will be my last until after Christmas. Family members have arrived, and the celebrating is about to begin. On the counter is a plate of freshly made rugelach. Something that I always thought was too difficult to accomplish, but after combining Ina Garten's and Dorie Greenspan's recipes and techniques and I believe I have a winner. These delectable morsels are flaky and delicious. The cream cheese brings a tenderness to the dough and you will have a hard time eating just one.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Ingredients:

For the dough:

4 ounces cold cream cheese
4 ounces cold unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

1/2 cup walnuts (coarsely chopped, lightly toasted)
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
4 tablespoons sugar
1/3 teaspoon cinnamon

For glazing:
1 large egg beaten
Sanding or turbinado sugar for dusting

To prepare:

Cut the cream cheese and butter each into 4 pieces, let sit 10 minutes. Add to food processor with flour and salt and pulse until the dough forms large curds, about 12 to 15 pulses. Turn dough unto lightly floured work surface and form into a ball. Cut in half and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap forming a square. Chill at least 2 hours.


Meanwhile, make the filing. Mix the chocolate and walnuts together in a small bowl, set aside. In a separate small bowl and combine sugar and cinnamon together, mix well, set aside.

On a lightly floured surfaced roll out 1 piece of chilled dough. Flour rolling pin and top of dough and roll out in a rectangular shape as much as possible, lifting and turning dough frequently so it will not stick. Cut dough in half. Each half should be about 12 x 6 inches. Working with one piece of dough at a time, brush each half with melted butter and then cinnamon sugar mixture, leaving the edge free all around each piece.


Add one quarter of the chocolate mixture over the cinnamon mixture and gently press down. Roll each piece starting from the straggly edge to the straight cut edge. Place rolls into the freezer and start on the second piece.


Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat.

Remove rolls from freezer. Cut into one inch lengths. Brush with egg wash and then sprinkle with sugar. Bake 15 to 17 minutes until golden brown. Turn pan halfway through baking time. Allow to cool on racks until room temperature.





Comments

  1. These rugelach remind me of being home at Christmas, love that you shared this!

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  2. This sounds like something I should be baking! Merry Christmas Cheri and enjoy all your guests :)

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  3. Rugelach is on my list of things to make before Christmas. Have to get my shopping done first though! :)

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    1. Thanks Betty, would love to see your list. I bet it is fabulous!

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  4. Happy Holidays, Cheri! Have a wonderful time with you family!

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  5. Merry Christmas Cheri! Enjoy your time with family and friends. I personally can't wait for the diet to begin - or get my fat pants out of the closet :) These rugelach look amazing - I adore these lovely cookies and your did a great job! Enjoy!

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    1. Hi Tricia, I'm ready for some clean meals myself, some simple soups and salads.

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  6. wow! they look really neat! i bet everyone looks forward to that tradition!

    blessings to you all!

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  7. Those look fantastic Cheri.
    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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  8. I love Rugelach, but have never made it myself–you're right, it is hard to eat just one! :) Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  9. I know just how you feel right now. Your rugelach looks great and I'm sure you are more than ready for all the holiday festivities. Let the celebrations begin! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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    1. Thanks Monica, December has to be my favorite time of the year.

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  10. I've never heard of rugelach but I just know I would love these. They're very festive. Yes, it's on with the celebrations! Merry Christmas to you and all your family xx

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  11. Happy Holidays!. they will be over before we know it..We must carry the feeling over~♥

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  12. I've heard how good these are through Suzanne @ a pug in the kitchen (hope I've got that right) but I've yet to try them. I've done absolutely nothing for Christmas! And might try baking a Tunis cake - that I've never heard of - during the next couple of days. Hmm. And my little tree will go up tomorrow night. Hoping all is well with you over the holidays. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Hi Johnny, Oh I love Suzanne's site, I saw her rugelach too! anyway Tunis cake sounds wonderful. I had to google it first to know what is was but it certainly looks delicious!

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  13. I haven't tried them yet, myself - you are giving me the courage to try! Merry Christmas and I home you enjoy the family and festivities! ~ David

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    1. Thanks David, you too, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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  14. Love rugelach, they are such delectable little morsels they look delicious Cheri!!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne, thats such a compliment after seeing yours! Happy Holidays!

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  15. I've never made rugelach and that needs to change! Good luck with all those last minute details, and happy holidays to you! :)

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  16. Rugelach are so good and though they seem hard to make, they really aren't! These look great Cheri! I now your family will enjoy them! Have a great holiday!

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    1. Thanks Abbe, I agree, they were not as hard to make as I've made them out to be. Happy Holidays!

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  17. These must have made your kitchen smell so good. Great recipe there Cheri :-)

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    1. Thanks Taruna, love baking this time of year. Happy Holidays!

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  18. Merry Christmas Cheri!!! I'll take one of those delicate Rugelach to go if you don't mind, lol...

    Thanks for sharing, Cheri...Enjoy your Holiday:) "See" you next year!!!

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  19. Merry Christmas my friend - this rugelach definitely would complete it :D
    I can smell the deliciousness from here!

    Happy Holidays
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. Thanks Uru! your are so kind, Happy Holidays to you!

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  20. I've never made these before - maybe I will give them a try (next Christmas!) They look delicious! Enjoy your holiday and Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Amy, I know you can never have enough cookies right? Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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  21. I hope you have a lovely holiday!! And yay for conquering rugelach! They look beautiful.

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    1. You too Joanne, Happy Holidays to you and your hubby!

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  22. Happy holidays! Have a great one and eat lots of cookies! :)

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  23. Happy holidays! Have a great one and eat lots of cookies! :) I'd eat a handful of these.. and then come back for more! ;)

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  24. Your rugelach looks delicious, Cheri! I love it but have never attempted making it, that will change after seeing this. Happy Holidays!

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    1. Hi Pam, the process of rugelach always seemed to overwhelm me, but now after tackling them myself this year I've realized they are pretty darn easy. Happy Holidays!

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  25. These look delicious. Merry Christmas. D

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    1. Thank you Dena, Happy Holidays to you and your family!

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  26. I've never been brave enough to try making rugelach. Yours looks awesome!

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    1. Thanks Beth, I was overwhelmed by the process for years, but I've now realized it's really pretty simple. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

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  27. Hi Cheri
    these Rugelach looked very tasty. I have not tried making this but looking at the ingredients with chopped chocolate & walnuts definitely yummy!
    Happy holidays to you & family!

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    1. Thanks Karen, they were pretty easy to make, next time I will try not to eat so many myself. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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  28. Oh-my-goodness, Cheri. Your rugelach contains everything on my favorite combo list chocolate, nuts and cinnamon filling in a cream cheese dough wrap?! Happy Christmas indeed =) Trust yours was wonderful =)

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    1. Thanks Kim, rugelach was fun to make and your right you can't go wrong with a cream cheese dough. Happy Holidays to you!!

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  29. Rugelach always reminds me of holidays and happiness. These look awesome!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family, Cheri!
    Angie

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    1. Thanks Angie, rugelach always reminds me of the same things. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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  30. Merry Christmas Cheri, and wishing you the best for a wonderful New Year ahead! Great work over the year, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Peggy, your are so kind. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

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  31. These sound amazing and I know your kitchen was filled with the most enticing aroma. Hope you had a lovely Christmas Cheri!

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    1. Thank you Chris, we had a wonderful time. Happy New Years to you and Scott!

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  32. I love rugelach! It's the perfect, and required, cookie for the holidays. And it's my husbands very favorite. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family! Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!!

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    1. Thanks Susan, rugelach is my favorite too! Happy Holidays to you and your husband!

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  33. oh... so yummy....Hope you had a lovely Christmas! :)
    Happy New Year!

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  34. It looks so delicious. Yummy yummy. Hope you had a wonderful christmas my friend. :)

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  35. I could almost smell these as I read, Cheri! What happy guests you must have had the day you made them!
    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you an equally as fun New Year!

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    1. Hi Helen, I'm almost ready to start eating healthy again, noticed I said almost. Hehe! Anyway, Happy New Years to you and Mr Scrummy.

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