Rugelach

yield 48

 

 There is just something so wonderful about a cream cheese pastry.  This is one of my favorites.  I got this recipe from my pastry instructor at college.  Feel free to experiment with the type of fillings you use.  I am quite sure you will fall in love with these too.

Pastry:

  • 12 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 6 ounces granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 pound bread flour

 

Filling:

  • 3 ounces walnuts
  • 2 ounces granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 12 ounces red raspberry jam
  • Egg wash

 

  1. To make the dough, cream together the butter, cream cheese and sugar and salt until light & fluffy.
  2.  Add the vanilla and yolks.
  3. Gradually add the flour and mix just until combined.
  4. Turn out and knead gently just until the dough is smooth.
  5. Divide the dough in three equal pieces (about 1 1lb each), round, cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
  6. While the dough is resting, make the filling.
  7. Put walnuts, sugar and cinnamon in a food processor & process until fine.  Set aside.
  8. Take dough out of the refrigerator.
  9. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  10. Roll out one of the rounds into a 14” circle, using flour as necessary to prevent from sticking.
  11. Spread 1/3 of the jam over the dough.  Cover with 1/3 of the walnut mixture.
  12. Cut the circle into 16 equal wedges (as if cutting a pizza) with a plain pastry cutter or a chef’s knife.  Dip the tool in hot water occasionally to prevent from sticking.
  13. Roll up each wedge from the outside in, as you would do for croissant, but do not bend to a moon shape.
  14. Place on lined pan.
  15. Lightly egg wash (whipped whole egg) and bake, double –panned @ 350° for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and baked through.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *