Rugelach Cookie Recipe (2024)

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Sink your teeth into palm-sized, moon-shaped flavor with this rugelach cookies recipe. Cinnamon-pecan filling peeks out from a light, flaky dough sliced into triangles, then rolled into crescents—a perfect task for little helping hands to master.

Pronounced “roo-ga-lahk,” its origins are traced to 18th-century Eastern Europe, and the Jewish diaspora made it popular around the world. Rugelach’s cream cheese dough complements a variety of fillings, from cherry to chocolate to raspberry and more. Our rugelach cookie recipe’s cinnamon filling pleases any crowd, and it complements hot chocolate and coffee.

Cinnamon-Pecan Rugelach Cookies

Sink your teeth into palm-sized, moon-shaped flavor with this rugelach cookies recipe. Cinnamon-pecan filling peeks out from a light, flaky dough sliced into triangles, then rolled into crescents—a perfect task for little helping hands to master.

Pronounced “roo-ga-lahk,” its origins are traced to 18th-century Eastern Europe, and the Jewish diaspora made it popular around the world. Rugelach’s cream cheese dough complements a variety of fillings, from cherry to chocolate to raspberry and more. Our rugelach cookie recipe’s cinnamon filling pleases any crowd, and it complements hot chocolate and coffee.

Sink your teeth into palm-sized, moon-shaped flavor with this rugelach cookies recipe. Cinnamon-pecan filling peeks out from a light, flaky dough sliced into triangles, then rolled into crescents—a perfect task for little helping hands to master.

Pronounced “roo-ga-lahk,” its origins are traced to 18th-century Eastern Europe, and the Jewish diaspora made it popular around the world. Rugelach’s cream cheese dough complements a variety of fillings, from cherry to chocolate to raspberry and more. Our rugelach cookie recipe’s cinnamon filling pleases any crowd, and it complements hot chocolate and coffee.

45min

Prep time

25min

Cook time

Ingredients:

For Rugelach Dough

For the Cinnamon-Pecan Filling

For the Egg Wash

Rugelach Cookie Recipe (1)

Directions:

For Rugelach Dough

  1. Place flour, granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor; pulse to mix. Add butter; pulse until butter is pea-size.
  2. Add cream cheese, sour cream and vanilla; pulse until combined and dough begins to form and pull away from sides.
  3. Gather and press dough together; divide into thirds and shape each into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon salt and nutmeg in a small bowl. Set aside. Whisk egg, egg yolk, cream, and pinch of salt in another small bowl. Set aside.
  5. Roll out one dough disc to a 10-inch circle on lightly floured surface. Lightly brush circle with water. Sprinkle one third of the pecan mixture evenly over the surface.
  6. Gently press filling into dough with your hand. Cut the circle into 8 equal wedges with a pizza cutter or large sharp knife.
  7. Roll up wedges from the wide end to the tip, tucking the tip under. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, tip-side down. Repeat with remaining dough discs and filling.
  8. Brush the tops of the cookies with egg mixture. Bake in a 350°F oven about 25 minutes or until golden. Cool on baking sheets on wire rack 1 to 2 minutes to firm slightly. Remove to racks; cool completely.

Tips/note:

  • If dough starts to warm up during rolling or shaping, place in the refrigerator to chill.
  • You can use the edge of a paper plate or a regular 10-inch plate as a guide to cut an even dough circle.
  • For an extra flavor twist, lightly brush the dough in step 3 with your favorite preserve or apple butter instead of water, before adding the pecan mixture.
  • Always cool the baking sheets before baking more cookies. A hot baking sheet will melt the dough and cookie edges may burn or cookies can lose their shape.

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Rugelach Cookie Recipe (2)

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Rugelach Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is rugelach made of? ›

Rugelach (pronounced rug-a-lah) are tiny filled pastries that originated in the Jewish communities of Poland. To make rugelach, a cream cheese-sour cream dough is cut into wedges and rolled around a sugary walnut-raisin filling.

What ethnicity is rugelach? ›

Rugelach (/ˈruːɡələx/ ROO-gəl-əkh; Yiddish: ראגעלעך, or Yiddish: רוגעלעך, romanized: rugelekh and Hebrew: רוגלך rōgalaḵ) is a filled baked confection originating in the Jewish communities of Poland.

What is a fun fact about rugelach? ›

It is popular in Israel and among Jews around the world. Rugelach is made by rolling a triangle of dough around a sweet filling, such as nuts, chocolate, jam, or poppy seeds. The name rugelach means “l*ttle twists” or “l*ttle corners” in Yiddish, because of the shape of the pastry.

What is the difference between American and Israeli rugelach? ›

Rugelach are a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish treat made from a sweet yeast dough folded over a filling of your choice. Although the American version uses Cream Cheese for the dough, these Israeli-style Rugelach are made from a yeasted enriched dough that is quite similar to a Babka.

What is a rugelach in Yiddish? ›

What does “Rugelach” mean? The word “Rugelach” in Yiddish means “little twists.” The cookies originated in Ashkenazi Polish Jewish communities, but are popular with people of all backgrounds and cultures nowadays.

How long does rugelach stay fresh? ›

Storage: Rugelach will keep at room temperature for 3 days (wrapped tightly) or 1 to 2 weeks longer in the refrigerator. Freezer: Freeze the discs of dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with the recipe. Or freeze the shaped Rugelach cookies for up to 3 months.

What does rugelach symbolize? ›

Historically, Rugelach is said to be linked with the Viennese Kipfel, crescent shaped pastries which commemorate the lifting of the Turkish siege in the Battle of Vienna. Rugelach is also similar in shape to the French croissant, which may be a descendant of the popular sweet pastry.

What is similar to rugelach? ›

Rugelach and schnecken are the subject of much confusion in the world of Jewish baking. They are both treats made from the combination of cookie or yeast dough and are filled with different ingredients, like ground nuts, raisins, and jam.

What is the difference between babka and rugelach? ›

Babka is a yeast bread that is rolled with chocolate filling. It's usually made in a loaf pan. Rugelach is rolled like croissants. The main differences between the two of them are their shape and the type of dough they use.

When should I eat rugelach? ›

In the early 20th century, American Jewish cooks took the concept of kipfel and added cream cheese to the dough, resulting in the delicious rugelach we know and love today. Rugelach are often served on Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Shavuot, though of course they can (and should!) be made throughout the year.

Is rugelach Ashkenazi? ›

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.

What does rugelach taste like? ›

Like cinnamon rolls, but without any yeast. A traditional Jewish treat, rugelach tastes like buttery, light, and flaky croissants, but aren't nearly as fussy.

What is the difference between a croissant and a rugelach? ›

While not all croissants and cookies have a filling, rugelach is always filled. A popular filling is chocolate ganache. So have the filling on hand before diving into construction.

What is the significance of rugelach? ›

Historically, Rugelach is said to be linked with the Viennese Kipfel, crescent shaped pastries which commemorate the lifting of the Turkish siege in the Battle of Vienna. Rugelach is also similar in shape to the French croissant, which may be a descendant of the popular sweet pastry.

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