brown sugar & walnut filled rugelach

Wood-Ridge, NJ
Updated on Oct 2, 2011

These are worth the work. You have to double this recipe, because if you don't you will not be able to sample them. This recipe is a Jewish favorite, but you do not have to be Jewish to love them. These are a typical recipe for the Jewish holiday of Chanukah, my non Jewish friends have made them as one of their Christmas cookies!!

prep time
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Ingredients

  • PASTRY
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • FILLING
  • 1 1/2 cups walnuts, toasted & finely ground
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/3 cup sugar, granulated
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted & cooled
  • TOPPING
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • EGG WASH
  • 1 - egg white, beaten with 1 tbsp. water

How To Make brown sugar & walnut filled rugelach

  • Step 1
    To make Pastry: In a large bowl, combine the butter & the cream cheese.
  • Step 2
    Using the electric mixer, set on high speed, beat until smooth.
  • Step 3
    Mix in the salt. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour & mix just until dough forms.
  • Step 4
    Turn dough out onto floured work surface. Using floured hands, form the dough into a log. Cut into 4 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a disk & wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Step 5
    PREHEAT oven to 375.
  • Step 6
    TO MAKE FILLING & ASSEMBLE RUGELACH:
  • Step 7
    Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Step 8
    Remove dough disks from the refrigerator. Unwrap the dough disks & let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften slightly.
  • Step 9
    Meanwhile in small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar & ground cinnamon.
  • Step 10
    Flour one dough disk & place between two sheets of waxed paper. With a rolling pin, roll out into a round 10 inches in diameter & 1/8 inch thick.
  • Step 11
    Remove the top sheet & brush the dough with the melted butter, then sprinkle with 3 tbsp. of the sugar mixture. Top with about 1/3 cup of the finely ground walnuts (pressing mixture into the dough to help it adhere to the dough).
  • Step 12
    Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife cut the round into 12 wedges. Starting at the wide end roll up each wedge, jelly-roll style. transfer to prepared baking sheet, arranging the cookies point side down & spacing them at least one inch apart.
  • Step 13
    TOPPING:
  • Step 14
    In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar & ground cinnamon.
  • Step 15
    Using a pastry brush, brush the cookies with the egg white/water egg wash, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
  • Step 16
    Bake until golden brown, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough, filling & topping.
  • Step 17
    Can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Makes about 4 dozen rugelach cookies.

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Category: Cookies

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