Cranberry-Pecan Rugalach

By sandiB2010

A version of the European Jewish pastry rugelach, these cookies are delicious served at any Jewish holiday. Consider making a batch to enjoy after any holiday meal or at Hanukkah. These sweet treats are filled with sweetened cranberries, rich pecans, and sweet spices. This recipe makes a scrumptious dessert during the winter months at any holiday celebration.

Ingredients

• CRANBERRY-PECAN FILLING:
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sparkling cake-decorating professional baking sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 2/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries or dried cherries or dried apricots, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Details

Servings 64
Preparation time 500mins
Cooking time 530mins
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add granulated sugar, beating until fluffy. Stir in flour and salt. Divide dough into 8 equal portions; flatten each portion into a disk; wrap each disk separately in plastic wrap. Chill 8 hours.

Make cranberry-pecan filling by mixing together 3/4 cup sugar, chopped pecans, finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries, 1/2 cup melted butter, cinnamon, and ground allspice.

Roll 1 portion of dough at a time into an 8-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spread with 3 tablespoons cranberry-pecan filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge. Cut circle into 8 wedges; roll up wedges, starting at wide end, to form a crescent shape. Place, point side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush gently with egg; sprinkle evenly with sparkling sugar. Repeat procedure with remaining dough and filling.

Bake at 350°F on a lightly greased baking sheet for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.