Denise says:

This Shavuot why not make some rugelach! Rugelach (or Ruglulach) is a Jewish pastry of Ashkenazi origin and is made with a cream cheese dough and different fillings that can include raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, chocolate, or apricot jam preserve. They are rolled up like a croissant. These little sweet crescent shaped pastries are very popular in America but are gradually becoming a favourite in Britain. My recipe is made with walnuts and raisins. For perfect results do not spread too much jam on the base as it oozes out and burns the pastry. Make them with the children; little hands will enjoy the preparation.

Ingredients:

Makes: 48

For the Pastry
225g unsalted butter
225g cream cheese
400g plain flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 egg yolk – to glaze pastry

For the Filling

50g light brown sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
100g walnuts or pecan nuts – finely chopped
100g raisins
1 tablespoons ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons apricot jam

Garnish:
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

Method

1. To make the pastry, combine all the ingredients together in a food processor. Add extra flour if the mixture seems too wet.
2. Remove from the food processor, cover with cling film and refrigerate for 3 hours.
3. For the filling, place the sugar, zest, nuts, raisins and cinnamon into the magimix. Pulse gently until it forms a nut pate.
4. Divide the pastry into 4. Roll out each ball on a lightly floured work surface into a circle about 18 cm /7 inch diameter and ½ cm /¼ inch thick Using a knife, cut the circle into 12 triangle wedges.
5. Spread a thin layer of apricot jam on the pastry. Place about a teaspoon of filling mixture on each triangle.
6. Roll up each triangle starting with the wider curved end. Curve the rolls slightly and place them on a lined baking tray.
7. Pre-heat the oven to 350F/ 180 C/ Gas mark 5.
8. Glaze with egg yolk.
9. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown.
10. Mix cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle over the warm rugelach.
Tagged in: Apples, Ashkenazi, Dairy, Desserts, Dried Fruits, Family Cooking, Sephardi, Shavuot, Tea, Yom Tov