These tasty cookies are another version of rugelach, the traditional Eastern-European-Jewish rolled cookies, that combine flaky dough with dried fruits and nuts filling.
In this version, I ended up using only half of the amount of butter that most recipes call for, and the result was just as good, if not better. I also substituted half the amount of flour with fine semolina, which gave the dough a lovely, crumblier texture.
As for the filling, I decided to make the cookies less sweet than usual, so I used dried fruits and only a bit of jam to sweeten it. To add more interesting flavor, I used three types of nuts instead of just one, and added a bit of desiccated coconut as well. The cookies turned out so tasty, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them too, once you’ll try them. They also make a great edible gift, that is perfect for the holiday season.
Notes:
* Note that the baking temperature is lower than what most recipes call for, and that baking time is longer than with most cookies. This way of baking ensures the cookies are baked from inside as well.
* If you prefer sweeter cookies, you can sprinkle sugar over the filling, before rolling, according to your taste. Just remember that the cookies will also be sprinkled with powdered sugar at the end of the process.
* American Neufchâtel cheese is different from the European one. It doesn’t have washed rind and is basically a type of cream cheese with lower (30%) fat and a bit more tangy flavor. It can be found in most supermarkets.
* The dough and filling can be made a few days in advance and assembled just before baking.
* The baked cookies can keep for up to two weeks, but the dough will get less crumbly with time.
* The dough can be frozen for up to a month, in a freezer bag.
* Another version of these cookies, with different dough and fillings, can be found HERE.
Makes: about 40
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour
Baking time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
For the dough:
1 stick (115 grams) butter, soft
8 oz (227 grams) Neufchâtel cheese , soft (see notes)
¼ cup sugar
1 cup semolina
1 cup flour
¼ tsp salt
For the filling:
½ cup pitted dates
½ cup dried apricots
½ cup boiling water
¾cup assorted nuts (I used walnuts, pistachios and pecans)
½ cup smooth jam (I used plum)
1 Tbs cinnamon
3 Tbs unsweetened desiccated coconut
For serving:
½ cup powdered sugar
1. The dough: mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and knead briefly, to playable dough. Wrap with wax paper and keep in the fridge for an hour.
2. The filling: place the dates and apricots in a small bowl and pour the boiling water over. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Drain and process in a small food process to a smooth paste. Process the nuts coarsely in a food processor.
3. To bake: preheat the oven to 340 (170C). Line a cookie sheet pan with baking paper. Take the dough out of the fridge and unwrap it 10 minutes before rolling.
4. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts. Roll each part on a lightly floured work place, into about 12” (30 cm) x 6.3” (16 cm) rectangle. Spread with a thin layer of jam, avoiding the edges, and then with the dried fruit paste. Sprinkle the nuts, coconut and cinnamon, and roll from the longer end. Pinch the dough edges together and place in the pan, seared side down. Using a plastic dough scraper, or a dull knife, cut the roulades, not all the way through, to about 0.6” (1.5 cm) thick sections.
5. Bake for 30 minutes. Take out of the oven and cut all the way through, separating the cookies. Place back in the oven for and bake for 10 minutes longer, until the cookies are golden-brown. Let cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar.
These looks so delicious and I think it should classify as health food, I mean low fat, low sugar and all the lovely dried fruit. So yummy.
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lol Thank you Myra! I think these would be a very popular diet food! 🙂
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😂😂🖒
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Very healthy cookies 💞 Love the combination of dry fruits and nuts! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you Vero, I’m glad you liked the recipe. The cookies turned out so good. Hard to stop eating! 🙂
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👍 mouthwatering cookies 😋
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Thank you Ramya! 🙂
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These look lovely, Ronit. Fruit and nuts combined together is always a hit with my family.
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Thank you Rini, I”m glad you liked the recipe. The combination of dried fruits and nuts is one of my favorites as well. So good! 🙂
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I’m all for the nuttier version of this! Looks delicious!
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Thank you Kathryn, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Using three types of nuts added such a nice flavor. 🙂
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The look wonderful – would like to try one 🙂
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Thank you Karin, I’m glad you liked the cookies. They turned out very tasty. I plan to make them again soon. 🙂
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Looks absolutely delicious! fillings are yummy and healthy as well .
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Thank you Nisha, I’m glad you liked the cookies. They are indeed a bit healthier than most cookies, and very tasty! 🙂
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Ronit, these look soooo good! I will have to come up with a version of these that I can eat! You are so talented – I love to read your detailed step by step instructions. These look amazing! thank you!
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Thank you Indu, for such a great compliment. I appreciate your support!
I hope you’ll be able to recreate the recipe according to your restrictions. I’m sure you’ll come up with some wonderful ideas. I’ll be looking forward to see your version. 🙂
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I like the idea of calling these little treasures “health food”! Love the combinations of dried fruit and jam, as well as different kinds of nuts. Thank you, Ronit!
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Thank you Dolly, I’m glad you liked the recipe.
As for these cookies as “health food” – I too love the idea. Wish it was so! 🙂
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They are definitely delicious, therefore enjoyable, therefore already healthy as they create positive emotions! 😻
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I love your reasoning. I’m on board! 🙂
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Trust a psychologist to turn things around to make everyone feel great! 😻
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I bake large batches of rugelach for Christmas and find the use of semolina flour quite intriguing! They look absolutely delicious and would grace any cookie platter quite beautifully
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Thank you Marisa, I’m glad you liked the recipe. I love using semolina in baking and here it gave the dough such a nice, crumbly texture, which I love. I think you’ll like it too. 🙂
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Beautiful, Ronit. I love the idea of a biscuit with a filling. Having notes to refer to is great. I have the advantage of your research. 🙃
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Thank you Mary, I’m glad you like the recipe and that you find the notes helpful. It definitely motivates me to keep it up. 🙂
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Healthy cookies Ronit….love the combination of dry fruits….really an awesome share ✌✌
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Thank you Jyo, I’m glad you liked the cookies. I’m glad to share. 🙂
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looks amazing. Wonderful share….
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Thank you Reena, I’m glad you liked the cookies. I’m happy to share. 🙂
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You have lowered calories/fat everywhere in this recipe and they still look good. 3 nuts and coconut I’m sure kicked up the flavor. I’ve never made rugelach and it would certainly add a nice touch to my holiday cookie table. I’m trying to make more goodies that are not my “typical” holiday cookie.
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked the recipe. I love this type of cookies, so have a few variations of them. I loved how the dough came out for this one. It’s so easy to make and to roll. I was also happy with how the filling was sweet even without the added sugar. Definitely a keeper! 🙂
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GAH! Almost missed this one! Those look wonderful! Does the double baking make them easier to handle?
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Better late than never… 🙂
You’re right, the double baking indeed makes them easier to handle. The first step helps to keep the filling in the dough, while the second step is meant to make sure the cookies are baked all the way. It’s a bit of a longer procedure than most cookies, but it’s worth it! 🙂
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They look wonderful and absolutely delicious Ronit!
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Thank you Annika, I’m glad you liked the cookies. They turned out so good. 🙂
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How delicious! Isn’t it a coincidence that I just posted a similar recipe that is a traditional Italian cookie. I love that all cultures do great things similarly!
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It is indeed! I’m now curious and will check out your recipe soon. For some reason I don’t get updates from your blog via email. Maybe you can add a “Follow” via WordPress?
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Looks yummy. I love the filling – comfy cookies 🙂
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Thank you! Yes, these are very homey and tasty cookies. Perfect for the winter. 🙂
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One of my favorite flavors for holiday cookies!
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Thank you Sabdra I’m glad you liked the cookies. 🙂
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looks like something I should bake for my friend’s daughter as she is allergic to eggs 🙂 perfect for the holidays 🙂
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Thank you Ana, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Yes, these would be perfect for the holidays, and to anyone with allergy to eggs. I hope your friend’s daughter will enjoy them. 🙂
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Oh, Ronit, I love this! I had something like this from a bakery years ago but never knew where to find a recipe!
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Thank you Mollie, I’m glad this brought back tasty memories! I hope you’ll find the recipe useful. 🙂
You can also check out the following link for another tasty version of these cookies:
https://ronitpenso.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/rugelach-one-dough-four-options/
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These look delicious, Ronit!
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Thank you Debbie, I’m glad you liked the cookies. They are indeed very delicious. Hard to stop at one… 🙂
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Ooooh yum! They look absolutely mouthwatering! I had something similar a couple of weeks back at a near/middle-eastern street food market. covered in a whole new definition of “lots” of honey. While riding out the sugar-rush, I kept wondering how the delicious morsels underneath were made so I could make them myself – sans the honey-overkill – and eat more of them without fainting after just one 😀 Thanks for sharing this one~!
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Thank you Diana, I’m glad you liked the cookies.
From your description, I think the ones you’ve had are made with filo dough. I too find them overly sweet. I could never understand why there’s a need to use that much sugar, but to each their own. 🙂
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Ronit,
These are picture perfect and droolicious! They are sure to be a show stealer at any party!
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Thank you Sandhya, I’m glad you liked the cookies. I’m currently writing tomorrow’s recipe, yes, it’s another type of cookie. Can’t choose which one is better! 🙂
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Looking forward to seeing your next creation. You are simply amazing!
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Thank you Sandhya, for you kind words. It motivates me to keep on posting. 🙂
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Ronit, these looks so delicious! And so wonderfully festive. Surely fruit and nut has to be one of the food world’s best combinations.
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Thank you Tracey, I’m glad you liked the cookies. I totally agree about the fruits and nuts as one of the best combinations. It’s definitely very up high on my list of favorites. 🙂
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Beautiful & delicious rolls made with finest ingredients !!
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Thank you Megala, I”m glad you liked the cookies. They are indeed delicious. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Crackling Pork Rinds.
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