Rugelach is one of my favorite cookies! Perfect for any time of year! We especially love to make these cookies for the Holidays. A light and flaky pastry rolled cookie filled with any jam or preservatives of choice. A classic Jewish cookie that is delicious.
Rugelach cookies are one of my favorite treats. I have been making this for about 24 years and is truly a Holiday treat that is just so delicious.
This is a rich cookie with a wonderful sour cream pastry dough. Rugelach is usually made with either a sour cream or cream cheese base. I love these cookies because the dough is perfect. The crust is flaky and light. The filling can be changed to any jams and nuts you choose.
I believe in everything in moderation, so an occasional cookie will be okay because we all need a treat and a rugelach cookie does a lot to make me happy! I make a light dough using low-fat sour cream! For the filling, it is usually fig preserves and walnuts. For my son, I add chocolate chips, yummy either way.
Any comments or questions, use the comment form below. If you love this recipe, it would be awesome if you gave it a 5-star rating!
📖 Recipe
Rugelach
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Equipment Needed:
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 Tablespoon cold, unsalted butter
- ½ cup light sour cream
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup turbinado sugar
- ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 Tablespoons fig or apricot jam *see notes
- 1 teaspoon confectioners sugar
For the sour cream dough
Instructions
- Combine the flour and salt, in a food processor, and pulse several times.
- Cut the butter into 15 pieces and add to the bowl of the food processor. Pulse repeatedly, about 20 times. The mixture will become a fine powder. Check the consistency to avoid over-working the dough.
- Add the sour cream, pulse an additional 5 or 6 times. The dough will form a ball. Remove from the food processor and press into a 6-inch square. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
To Make the Rugelach Cookie
- Divide the dough into thirds and shape into circles. roll each out to about 10-inch squares.
- For the filling, place the raisins into a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over low heat. Drain and cool. In a separate bowl, combine the turbinado sugar, finely chopped walnuts, and cinnamon
- Set a rack in the middle level of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove one circle of dough at a time, Place on your work surface, Place 1 tablespoon of the jam onto the dough, then scatter one-third of the raisins and one-third of the filling mixture onto the dough. With a pastry wheel, cut the dough into 12 wedges and roll each one up from the edge to the point.
- Arrange pastries on a parchment paper lined baking pan.
- Bake the pastry for about 30 minutes. Check them often as the sugar can leak and cause the bottom of pastry to burn. Lower temperature about 25 degrees if the bottom of pastry begins to burn.
- When pastries are done, cool briefly, then move the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Sprinkle the confectioner's sugar onto the pastries. Store the cookies in a covered container.
NOTES
- I love using Fig Preserves. Any flavor of jam or preservatives can be used
- Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion size
- Adapted from How to Bake by Nick Malgieri!
Oma
I love that this dough is made with sour cream rather than cream cheese. Can't wait to make these. Thanks for sharing!
Kim
The best cookie we ever ate! I make these all the time now!
Eileen xo
I am so happy you love the rugelach! It is seriously a tasty cookie!
recipe chilis baby
I savour, result in I found just what I
was having a look for. You've ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Roxanne
These look so yummy!! I bet my kids will like making these with me! Great pics!
Eileen xo
Thank you and I hope they do make them
Tara
I LOVE chocolate Rugelach! especially with some raspberry jam to dunk it in.
Eileen xo
It is delicious!
Susannah
These sound so tasty! I love trying new treats and, since I've never tried these before, they've made the cut for my splurges. 😉
Eileen xo
I am so glad, I hope you enjoy!
Diedre
I have never heard of this recipe before, but it sounds interesting! I wonder if you could substitute the fig or apricot for apple?
Eileen xo
Absolutely Diedre - apple would work really well
CourtneyLynne
Ong these look beyond delicious!!! I will definitely have to pin so I can give them a try! Yum
Shannon Gurnee
Those look and sound amazing! I've never made anything like those before! I'll definitely have to check them out!
Eileen xo
I hope you try these and enjoy - let me know if you do , we love them in our house
Rose Sahetapy
I'd never heard of rugelach before but...this recipe is so intruguing. I'd love to try it.
Eileen xo
I hope you try the rugelach recipe!
Deb
Looks delicious and they seem easy to make. I bet you can fill them with just about anything.
Eileen xo
Absolutelt, my most versatile cookie recipe!
Heather
I have never heard of this before! It looks delicious though! I love to find new cookie recipes, and will definitely be trying this one out! Happy birthday to your son!
Eileen xo
Thank you so much Heather! I hope you make this recipe and let me know how it worked for you!
Kirsten
It has been so long since I have had rugelach. I love that you make it with figs, that sounds so tasty. What a great recipe. Definitely want to try this one out!
Eileen xo
The fig jam makes this so tasty!
Hannah
Mmmmm. This is super yummy looking. Ill have to try it sometime
Eileen xo
I hope you try it! Delicious!
Kelly B.
I've said it on Instagram and I'll say it again, these are my absolute favorite! Your recipe seems like a fairly easy one, too, so I'll definitely be trying it out!
Eileen xo
Aw, thank you so very much Kelly! it is an easy one to make ! Enjoy!
Di
These look familiarly like something we had as a kid but damned if I can remember what mom called them!
Eileen xo
I hope you try it, we love rugelach!
Heather lawrence
Pinned this for later! I have never tried rugelach but it looks amazing!
Eileen xo
thank you - I hope you do !
Eileen xo
I am so glad - enjoy the recipe, it is yummy!
Kaylene
I haven't tried these before, but they look absolutely delicious! I may have to make them in time for the holiday!
Natalia
Yum! Never tried these but I definitely want to now!
Jessica {Swanky Recipes}
Oh man, just saw these before bed and now all I'm going to be thinking about all night are these! Totally love the apricot jam addition as I think it would be delicious!
Beth@FrugalFroggie
I have made something like that before. So delicious!!
Eileen xo
they sure are, hope you have a great Holiday!
angie
that recipe souds so super yummy is it an old one
Eileen xo
Yup, I have been making forever! a family favorite
Blythe A.
Rugelach is one of my all time favorite treats. I never tried making the dough with sour cream; I usually use the traditional cream cheese. I'm curious to try the sour cream instead.
Eileen xo
I have done both and I found the light sour cream to be more puff pastry like without all the butter in puff pastry, so it is a favorite - hope you try it with the sour cream
Claire
I've not heard of a Rugelach but it looks and sounds amazing 🙂 I've got to try this recipe!
Eileen xo
Oh Claire, I hope you do, it is so good - on my 4th batch to give as Holiday treats!
Jenn Peters
I've never had rugelach before. But I can tell it's something I'd most likely enjoy 😉
Eileen xo
I hope you give this recipe a try, its light and everyone always wants more!
Ave
I have to admit that I haven't tried Rugelach before, but they look really delicious! A perfect holiday treat!
Eileen xo
I hope you try these, they are really good
Claudette
I don't think I have ever heard of this before or ate it. If I did it was by another name. Now, I am not much of a baker so can I send you my addy for Fedex? 🙂
Eileen xo
I love it, of course Claudette, what is another batch, I am already making a ton, it would be my pleasure! these are my so light and yummy!
Lexie Lane
Yummy!! This would be perfect for Christmas and I'm sure my kids and family would love it.
michelle
wow! 40 cookies is a lot. i have never heard of Rugelach but it looks interesting
Liz Mays
I see why this is such a favorite for you. Gosh that looks great! So many of my favorite flavors are in there.
Eileen xo
Thank you Liz, Mine too, a light dough filled with treats
Ana De- Jesus
I like the sound of rugelach what country does it originate from?
Eileen xo
Rugelach is Eastern European, Jewish pastry, I am Irish, I just happen to love this pastry cookie, especially at the Holidays!
Victoria
I never heard about this but it sounds delicious. I can't wait to try this
Eileen xo
Its a real treat!
Krystal Miller (@hhtfamilyblog)
I've never heard of these before! They look delicious!
Eileen xo
Thank you - they are really tasty
Elizabeth O.
It's really so lovely to look at and definitely perfect for the season! It looks light too, so that's great. Thanks for sharing!
Eileen xo
You are very welcome! I hope you try the recipe!
Rachel Mouton
This looks absolutely delicious! I'm definitely going to try it 🙂
Eileen xo
I hope you enjoy the recipe
tara pittman
These look so yummy. I have never had one of these.
Eileen xo
Tara, these are amazing! I hope you make them- so much better than store bought as well!
Mardene Carr
I have had more than one cookie unfortunately...LOL
Eileen xo
A cookie every now and again is okay!
Carol Cassara
I haven't had it in soo long! Maybe I'll make some this month.
Eileen xo
I hope you try these, we just love them!
Faye
Oh wow, these look DELISH!! Can't wait to try!
Eileen xo
I hope you do, they are my favorite!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
These were a staple in my house growing up! They are so good.
Eileen xo
I totally agree