Rugelach

By gilligan1963

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
• 1/2 pound unsalted butter (at room temperature)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (plus 9 tablespoons)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 1 cup walnuts (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves (pureed in a food processor)
• 1 egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for egg wash)

Details

Servings 1
Cooking time 40mins
Adapted from abc.go.com

Preparation

Step 1

Cream the cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light. Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the salt, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until just combined. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured board and roll into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters, wrap each piece in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
To make the filling, combine 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the raisins, and walnuts.
On a well-floured board, roll each ball of dough into a 9-inch circle. Spread the dough with 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the filling. Press the filling lightly into the dough. Cut the circle into 12 equal wedges - cutting the whole circle in quarters, then each quarter into thirds. Starting with the wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place the cookies, points tucked under, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Brush each cookie with the egg wash. Combine 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle on the cookies. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.