Welcome to our October Bakealong challenge. Each month, we’ll announce a new recipe for you to try, along with helpful tips and step-by-step instructions here on our blog. We invite you to bake this month’s recipe, Rugelach, then share a photo of your creation, tagging it #bakealong. Enjoy!

Is it a pastry or a cookie? Rugelach – buttery, tender dough wrapped around a variety of fillings – perfectly straddles the line. Popping one of these treats into your mouth feels like a bite of pie, an edge piece that is as much crust as filling. Flaky, fruit-filled Danish comes to mind, too. Your overall impression is rich: from its cream cheese pastry to the sweet combination of nuts, fruit or chocolate inside, rugelach is the perfect cookie for a special occasion.

RUGELACH

For the Crust

227g unsalted butter, room temperature

170g cream cheese, room temperature

74g sour cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

241g all purpose flour

For the Filling

106g brown sugar

113g walnuts, chopped

85g dried cranberries

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Water for brushing dough

For the Topping

Coarse white sparkling sugar

Milk or cream

Method:

  • To make the crust, place flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse them briefly till combined.
  • Cut butter and cream cheese into chunks and add along with cream. Pulse until dough comes together.

  • Divide dough into three equal portions. Press each gently into a disc making them as round as possible.
  • Wrap the discs of dough in plastic, and chill the dough for about 1 hour, until it is firm but not rock hard.

  • To make the filling, process the sugar, walnuts, dried fruit, and cinnamon in a food processor or blender.
  • Working with one piece of dough at a time, place it on a generously floured surface. Roll into a 10″ circle.

  • Brush lightly with water or a layer of boiled cider, warmed apple or currant jelly or puréed fruit preserves.
  • Spread about 1/3 of the filling on the round, going all the way to the edges and gently pat down the filling.

  • Using a pizza cutter, baker’s bench knife, or sharp knife, divide the dough into 12 equal wedges/triangles.
  • Roll each wedge up, beginning with the wide end. Place the rolls point-side down on a lined baking sheet.

  • Repeat with the remaining two pieces of dough. Brush with milk and sprinkle with coarse sparkling sugar.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Refrigerate rugelach while oven is preheating. Bake for 25-30 minutes till golden.

  • Remove from the oven, and cool right on the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 36 pieces.
  • Store rugelach in an airtight container at room temperature for several days or freeze for longer storage.

KAF October Bakealong Challenge