Description
Discover the charm of these irresistibly easy Rugelach cookies packed with apricot preserves, golden raisins, and crunchy walnuts, all enveloped in a tender cream cheese and butter dough, baked to golden perfection with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Filling
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Topping
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup turbinado sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the Rugelach dough.
- Make Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, incorporating air to create a tender texture.
- Add Salt and Flour: Stir in kosher salt until well combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing gently to avoid overworking the dough, until just incorporated.
- Add Filling: Fold in the apricot preserves, golden raisins, and chopped walnuts evenly throughout the dough to distribute flavor and texture.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mix: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the sweet topping.
- Shape Dough: Roll the dough into balls and flatten each on a lined baking sheet to form cookie shapes suitable for baking.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the flattened dough with the cinnamon sugar mixture and turbinado sugar for a crunchy sweet crust, optionally brushing with milk to help the topping adhere.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown, indicating the cookies are cooked through and have a slight crispness.
- Cool: Allow the Rugelach to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess and ensuring perfect texture.
Notes
- Make sure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for easy creaming and a smoother dough.
- Roll dough gently to avoid tough cookies; overworking can toughen the dough.
- Use a lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Turbinado sugar adds a nice crunch and sparkle to the tops of the cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
