Skip to main content

Polish Rugelach

4.7

(39)

This cookie is popular in most of Eastern Europe. It features a tender pastry and, in this rendition, a delicious not-too-sweet cranberry and walnut filling. The cookies are formed by rolling up triangles of the pastry into small crescents.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 64

Ingredients

For dough:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 8-ounce package Neufchâtel cheese*, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

For filling:

3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup (3 1/2 ounces) dried cranberries, finely chopped
2/3 cup (2 3/4 ounces) finely chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 large egg, beaten to blend
Additional sugar
*A light style of cream cheese available at most supermarkets.

Preparation

  1. Make dough:

    Step 1

    Using electric mixer, beat butter and cheese in large bowl until light. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Mix in flour and salt. Gather dough into ball and gently knead until smooth. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Gather each into ball; flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic and chill 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled. Let soften slightly before rolling.)

  2. For filling:

    Step 2

    Mix 3/4 cup sugar, cranberries, walnuts, butter, cinnamon and allspice in small bowl to blend. Set aside.

    Step 3

    Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Place 1 dough disk on floured work surface (keep remaining 7 dough disks refrigerated). Roll out dough to 8-inch round. Spread 3 tablespoons filling over round, leaving 1/2-inch border. Cut round into 8 wedges. Starting at wide end of each wedge, roll up tightly and completely to tip. Place cookies, tip pointing down, on ungreased baking sheet and form into crescents. Repeat with 3 more dough disks and filling. Brush cookies with egg. Sprinkle additional sugar over. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool. Repeat with remaining 4 disks, filling, egg and sugar. (Can be made ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week, or freeze up to 1 month.)

Read More
Like “absolutely decadent” chocolate pudding and fattoush salad.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Every salad should have pita chips.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Biscuits and gravy, but make it spring.