The Best Rugelach
 
 
Author:
Serves: lots
Ingredients
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar plus 9 tablespoons
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1 cup apricot jam
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash
Instructions
  1. Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add ¼ 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.
  2. To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar & ½ teaspoon cinnamon, set aside.
  3. On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot jam and sprinkle with ¼ cup of the filling and ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips. 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. Note- I made mine really tiny so I cut my circle into 16 pieces. 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 350F.
  4. Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Optional - I sprinkled mine with golden crystallized sugar. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.....
  5. p.s. nothing in my kitchen ever makes it to the cooling stage because of who I live with.
  6. NOTE: To make the raspberry preserves rugelach just swap out the apricot jam for the other flavour and omit the chocolate chips. OR leave the chocolate chips in and use any flavour preserves you like.
Recipe by SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL EATING at https://simplybeautifuleating.com/2020/12/09/the-best-rugelach/