Rugalach or Rugelach

Ingredients

Pastry

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sifted icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter
• 4 ounces cold cream cheese

Filling

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup finely chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup apricot jam or strawberry jam

Optional Glaze

• 1 egg (optional)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a medium-size bowl, blend the flour, icing sugar and salt, using a fork.

2. 2

   Cut the butter and cream cheese into 1-inch cubes.

3. 3

   With a pastry blender, cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour mixture until the dough is the consistency of small peas.

4. 4

   Then, work the dough with your hands until it has a coarse meal texture.

5. 5

   Press the dough into a ball.

6. 6

   If the dough is too soft to roll, wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

7. 7

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

8. 8

   Using a fork, stir the sugar and cinnamon together.

9. 9

   Divide the dough into four pieces.

10. 10

    On a lightly floured board, using a floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece into a 12-inch circle, approximately 1/8-inch thick.

11. 11

    Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture over the circle, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup each of the nuts and raisins.

12. 12

    Alternatively, you can spread half of the jam over the circle and sprinkle with 1/4 cup nuts.

13. 13

    Repeat with the 3 remaining pieces of dough.

14. 14

    Cut each circle into 16 wedges.

15. 15

    Roll up the wedges, starting at the wide end.

16. 16

    Place the wedges on an ungreased cookie sheet, point-side down.

17. 17

    If using a glaze, whisk the egg and lightly brush the top of each cookie.

18. 18

    If you wish, lightly sprinkle the cookies with sugar.

19. 19

    Bake in the centre of the preheated oven until golden, about 13 to 15 minutes.

20. 20

    Remove to a rack until the cookies have cooled.

21. 21

    Store in the refrigerator or freeze.