Name: How to make an Easy Rugelach with Jam Walnut Filling
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Jewish
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature; 1 cup butter, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla; 2 cups flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup almonds or walnuts, finely chopped, optional; 3/4 cup Black Fig Preserves; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

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5 from 6 reviews

I think our dog Katie wants one of these Easy Rugelach cookies — *Recipe post may have affiliate links; read our* *disclosure policy*. *Photographs ©Carlos Leo, Spoonabilities*

Hello my friends! Today, I feel like going retro with a Jewish cookie recipe that I made last year. I feel so proud because it was the first time for me working with dough. The result is an easy Rugelach. This Jewish cookie is crumbly, with a sweet cream cheese dough, filled with chopped walnuts and our delicious Black Fig Preserves. Perfect dessert for Hanukkah.

What is Rugelach רוגעלך?

Rugelach is a traditional Jewish cookie made with a sweet cream cheese dough rolled around a filling of nuts, cinnamon, sugar, raisin, poppy seed paste, chocolate or jam. The traditional Rugelach is made in the form of a crescent roll by rolling a triangle of dough around the filling. Other alternative forms are constructed similarly to strudel or nut roll. You can eat Rugelach any time of the year but they are made especially during some Jewish holidays, traditionally during Hanukkah. This cookie descends from an Eastern European pastry known as kipfel.

Easy Rugelach cookie with a sweet cream cheese dough is crumbly and filled with a mix of nuts, sugar, cinnamon and with Fig Jam available at Spoonabilities.com

How to make an Easy Rugelach: Step by Step Tutorial

First, you need to make the dough using a mixer with the paddle attachment. Combine the cream cheese and the butter mix. Add the vanilla and mix until becomes uniform. Add the flour and salt and continue mixing until the dough forms a ball.

Remove from the mixer, wrap in plastic wrap and chilling for two hours. I left it overnight.

The next day divide the dough in three equal parts. Roll each part into an 11-12 inch circle. You can use a cake pan to measure and cut in perfect circle. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick spray.

Cut each circle into 16 wedges.

Step by Step for an Easy Rugelach cookie filled with Fig Jam available at Spoonabilities.

Spread jam and nuts evenly over the whole circle, leaving a ¼-inch border. (FYI I forgot the border as you will see below.) Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Easy Rugelach cookie with Step by Step - spreading Mr. and Mrs. Greek Kalamata Fig Jam into sweet cream cheese dough. Jam available at Spoonabilities

Roll wedges starting with the long edge of the rectangle facing you, roll up the dough. Gently tuck and tighten the roll as you go. Finish with the seam of the dough facing down.

Step by Step for an Easy Rugelach cookie - Roll wedges starting with the long edge of the rectangle facing you, roll up the dough. Fig Jam Available at Spoonabilities

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Step by Step for an Easy Rugelach cookie - Roll wedges starting with the long edge of the rectangle facing you, roll. Fig Jam Available at Spoonabilities

Place on prepared baking sheet point side down. Sprinkle the top with sugar.

Step by Step for an Easy Rugelach cookie - Bake 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack. Fig Jam Available at Spoonabilities

Step by Step for an Easy Rugelach cookie - Sprinkle the top with sugar. Fig Jam Available at Spoonabilities

Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.

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Display these Easy Rugelach on a rustic wooden board.

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Or in a bowl:)

Or just look at them like our Katie. Do you think she wants one?

If you are looking for more Jewish traditional dessert recipes for Hanukkah or Passover, check out these recipes.

Happy Baking! Happy holidays! Happy Hanukkah and Happy Merry Christmas!

Carlos Leo
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