Chocolate Rugelach Cookies

I was introduced to rugelach cookies when I came to Israel. Buttery, not too sweet and melt in your mouth delicious. After all, they are loaded with butter. I believe these Jewish cookies originated in Poland and are called Yiddish which means ‘twist’. There are many ways to twists these though. Today, I have rolled them similar to a croissant but you can also roll them into a long log then cut them into individual squares. While these are rugelach cookies, there is also a rugelach roll which is also a cream cheese-based yeast dough. Similar to a sweet bread. I share the chocolate rugelach as well as rugelach chocolate rolls with you.

About these cookies

The rugelach cookie dough is similar to making a pie crust or shortcrust pastry. The dough is rich in butter and cream cheese. The texture is flaky and crumby. You can’t eat these cookies without making a mess. But, they are also very addictive. These come in many variations from chocolate, nuts, jams, figs, dates for the sweet tooth but also with pesto, cheese, spread for the savory versions. These are perfect to make when you have guests to entertain. In fact, make one large batch of the dough and many different fillings, then watch your guests rave about them. Today I am filling these with chocolate and nuts but you can also use Nutella or jam. The option for filling are endless and I hope to share a few of my favorites with you soon.

Ingredients and substitutes

All-purpose flour – yes, plain flour is all we need for these cookies. Cream cheese – you want to make sure you use full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat will have excess moisture so the dough will be too wet. Also, the cookies will not be crumbly Butter – make sure you use cold chilled butter similar to making a pie crust Vanilla – as always use good quality vanilla. It does make a huge difference. Sour cream – this helps bring everything together. If you don’t have sour cream you can use yogurt as well. Powdered sugar – I like to add a bit of powdered sugar after all these are cookies.

Step by step instructions

Prepare dough

Combine vanilla, egg and sour cream – set aside In a food processor pulse flour, sugar, and salt to combineAdd the chilled and cubed cream cheese and butter pieces Pulse until you have a crumbly dough. Add the egg mixture through the feed with the food processor on. Pulse some more until the dough clumps together. Transfer to a clean work surface and bring it all together into a ball. Divide the mixture into three and foam into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and let chill until firm – about 2 hours until 2 days (or freeze for up to 3 months)

Prepare the filling

Melt the chocolate, butter, and cream in a microwave-safe bowl at 50%powerPulse the nuts in the food processor until finely chopped then add them to the melted chocolate Let cool until spreadable consistency – I chill for 30 minutes. When ready to use if the chocolate is not spreadable consistency microwave for 5 to 10 seconds only.

Form the rugelach cookies

Working with one disc at a time on a lightly floured surface. Roll the disc to about 8-inches round.Generously spread the melted chocolate, sprinkle the nuts.Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 8 wedges. Similar to cutting a pizza or slicing a cake. Then, roll each wedge from the thick end towards the narrow end. Similar to rolling a croissant. Place each rugelach on a baking tray with the tip facing down.Chill the cookies for 10 minutes up to two days.

Bake the rugelach

Preheat the oven at 180 C/ 360 F.Make sure the oven is well preheated.Then, bake the rugelach for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar (optional).These rugelach cookies will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days.