Best Rugelach Cream Cheese Cookies Recipes

RUGELACH (FILLED CREAM CHEESE COOKIES)

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl or food processor, cream the butter and cream cheese together.
• Add the pinch of salt and sugar.
• Beat in the flour, a little at a time.
• Knead the dough lightly until all the flour is incorporated.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Prepare one of the fillings by combining the ingredients (except the 1/4 cup sugar for the topping) and set aside.
• Flour the surface you will be rolling out the pastry on very generously.
• This is a delicate dough and is apt to stick.
• Roll out one of the portions of dough into a 10 inch in diameter circle.
• With a knife or pastry wheel, cut the pastry into 10-12 pie-shaped wedges (depending on how large or small you want the rugelach to be- I go for smaller).
• If the dough is sticky, dust it with a little flour.
• Sprinkle or spread a little of the filling of your choice on each little wedge.
• Beginning at the wide edge, roll the dough up toward the point, as you would make a crescent roll or a croissant, turning the ends in slightly to achieve the crescent.
• Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and brush with melted butter and sprinkle with a tiny bit of the topping sugar (this step can also be done just before baking and ensure that the sugar is not knocked off in the freezer).
• Repeat with the rest of the dough and filling.
• At this point, I pop the cookie sheet directly into my freezer and freeze the rugelach individually.
• When frozen, I pack them into ziploc bags to use at whim over the holidays (and not just) so they can be freshly-baked for any occasion.
• Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden, brushing with melted butter after 15 minutes if desired.

RUGELACH CREAM CHEESE COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese, butter, 1 cup granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix well. Refrigerate 30 min. Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup of the remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, nuts and raisins.
• Heat oven to 375ºF. Roll 1/4 of the dough into 9-inch circle on lightly floured surface. Spread dough with 2 Tbsp. jam, then sprinkle with 1/4 of the sugar mixture; press sugar mixture firmly into dough. Cut into 16 wedges. Starting at wide edge, roll up each wedge. Place, point-sides down, on baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Beat egg and water; brush onto roll-ups. Sprinkle with combined remaining granulated sugar and cinnamon.
• Bake 9 to 10 min. or until lightly browned. Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks; cool completely.