Rugelach – Quick and Tasty Crescent Pastries at Home

Visiting my grandmother’s kitchen as a child, I remember the warm, sweet aroma of Rugelach rolling through the house. Every bite was buttery, tender, and filled with chocolate or fruit preserves—a taste that felt like love wrapped in pastry. Inspired by those childhood memories and my passion for creating approachable, family-friendly recipes, this Rugelach recipe brings the same comforting flavors into your own kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for special occasions or busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rugelach is a pastry that combines buttery, tender dough with sweet fillings like chocolate, nuts, and fruit preserves. You’ll love this recipe because it’s both easy and customizable—perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Using simple ingredients like cream cheese, butter, and chocolate, you can create a dessert that tastes like it came from a bakery. This Rugelach recipe is family-friendly, ideal for holidays, brunches, or an everyday sweet treat.

The recipe is quick to prepare, requiring minimal rolling and shaping, yet delivers impressive results. It’s also versatile: swap fillings for chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar, or your favorite jam to suit your taste. These crescent-shaped pastries bake golden and flaky, making them visually appealing and perfect for gifting.

This Rugelach recipe balances ease with authenticity, letting you enjoy homemade pastries without complicated steps. Kids can help sprinkle chocolate or jam, making it a fun, interactive cooking experience. Whether you’re serving them at breakfast, dessert, or a festive gathering, these Rugelach rolls are sure to delight.

By intensifying flavors and following these steps, you’ll create Rugelach that tastes rich, buttery, and irresistibly sweet. Every bite is a reminder of why this traditional Jewish pastry has been cherished for generations.

Ingredients for This Recipe

Creating perfect Rugelach starts with the right ingredients. The dough is rich and tender thanks to cream cheese and butter, while flour and sugar provide structure and subtle sweetness. For the filling, chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, and optional fruit preserves create a flavor-packed bite. The egg wash adds a glossy finish, and a sprinkle of sugar gives a delicate crunch. Using high-quality ingredients enhances the taste and texture of your Rugelach.

🛒 Ingredients (for ~24 rugelach rolls):

For the Dough:
8 oz (1 cup) cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

For the Filling:
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
½ cup chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
Optional: ¼ cup fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, or strawberry)

For Topping:
1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

These ingredients come together to create buttery, flaky, and flavorful Rugelach pastries. Customizing fillings ensures every bite suits your taste while keeping the process simple and enjoyable.

How to Make This Recipe

Making Rugelach is straightforward when you follow simple steps. Start by preparing a soft, rich dough using cream cheese, butter, and flour. Chill the dough to make rolling easier. The filling combines sugar, chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, and optional fruit preserves. Rolling the dough into crescents allows for even distribution of flavors, creating pastries that are flaky and tender.

🛒 Steps:
Step 1: Prepare Dough

• Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth.
• Mix in flour, sugar, and salt to form a soft dough.
• Divide, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare Filling

• Combine sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and chocolate.
• Optionally spread fruit preserves on rolled dough.

Step 3: Shape Rugelach

• Roll dough into 10-inch circles.
• Cut into wedges and roll each wedge into a crescent.

Step 4: Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Brush with egg wash, sprinkle sugar.
• Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

These steps ensure consistent, bakery-quality Rugelach with rich flavor and tender, buttery texture in every bite.

Expert Cooking Tips

Perfect Rugelach requires attention to detail and a few expert tips. Chilling the dough before rolling prevents sticking and ensures flaky layers. Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter for smooth, easily combined dough. When spreading fillings, a thin, even layer ensures the pastry rolls evenly and bakes consistently.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Freeze dough slightly for easier cutting and rolling.
• Swap fillings: chocolate, cinnamon sugar, nuts, or fruit preserves.
• Egg wash ensures a shiny, golden finish.
• Sprinkle sugar lightly for added texture.
• Work on a floured surface to prevent sticking.
• Bake on parchment-lined sheets to avoid burning.
• Cool slightly before serving for easier handling and better flavor.

These techniques help make Rugelach more consistent, visually appealing, and full of flavor. By following these expert tips, you’ll create pastries that rival those from a bakery, delighting your family or guests with every bite.

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Rugelach is a classic pastry that combines buttery, tender dough with rich fillings, making it a favorite for generations. This recipe brings the flavors of traditional Jewish Rugelach into your home with easy-to-follow steps, customizable ingredients, and expert tips to ensure success. Perfect for holidays, brunch, or a sweet snack, these crescent-shaped treats are sure to impress family and friends. By following this guide, you’ll create bakery-quality Rugelach that’s golden, flaky, and filled with irresistible flavor—bringing warmth, nostalgia, and sweetness to every bite.

Rugelach

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~1 hour
• Yield: ~24 rugelach rolls
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delicate, crescent-shaped pastries with a tender, buttery dough filled with chocolate, cinnamon, nuts, or fruit preserves. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack with coffee or tea. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for ~24 rugelach rolls):

For the Dough:

• 8 oz (1 cup) cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

For the Filling:

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• ½ cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

• ½ cup chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate

• Optional: ¼ cup fruit preserves (apricot, raspberry, or strawberry)

For Topping:

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Make Dough

1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth.

2. Gradually mix in flour, salt, and sugar until a soft dough forms.

3. Divide dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Prepare Filling

1. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and chocolate.

2. If using fruit preserves, keep ready for spreading.

Step 3: Shape Rugelach

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Roll out one dough disc into a 10-inch circle on a lightly floured surface.

3. Spread a thin layer of fruit preserves (optional) and sprinkle filling evenly.

4. Cut dough into 12 wedges like a pizza.

5. Starting at the wide end, roll each wedge toward the tip to form a crescent.

6. Repeat with second disc of dough.

Step 4: Bake

1. Place rolls on prepared baking sheets. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

2. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; bake fresh when needed.

• Mini version: Cut wedges smaller to make bite-sized rugelach.

• Flavor twist: Swap chocolate for cinnamon sugar, apricot, or raspberry jam.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Pastry
• Method: Baked / Rolled / Filled
• Cuisine: Jewish / Eastern European