Christmas Rugelach

Here is the christmas recipe that I promised you earlier. We came across this recipe last year in the newspaper and loved it. Knowing that we would want to make it next year the recipe was cut out and stored. This year when we wanted to make this recipe again do you think we could find the recipe? Therefore, this recipe is a compilation of a few recipes that we looked at and what we could remember from the paper recipe. The recipe calls for apricot jam but I just used the berry jam that I had at home.

Rugelach are a yummy wee cookie type treat filled with fruit mince, walnuts and chocolate. They are pretty easy to make and look great on a plate for christmas parties or make a great side to a cup of coffee.

Tomorrow I will post a recipe for a homemade version of one of my favourite treats. Watch this space!

Ingredients
225g cream cheese
225g butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
2 cups plain flour
1 cup fruit mince
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup small walnut pieces
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 egg beaten
cinnamon sugar

1. In a food processor or with a mixer, blend the butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the sugar, vanilla and salt.
3. Gradually add the flour until the mixture comes together as a soft dough.
4. Roll the dough into a large ball and then cut into quarters.
5. Wrap each quarter in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour.
6. Meanwhile, combine the fruit mince, chocolate chips, walnut pieces and orange zest in a bowl, tossing well to combine.
7. After and hour, roll each quarter of pastry out to a 23cm circle on a floured board.
8. Sprinkle 2 Tablespoons of jam onto each circle and then evenly spread with a quarter of the fruit mixture.
9. Cut each circle into 12 wedges.
10. Starting with the outer edge, tightly roll up each wedge and place on a baking tray.
11. Brush each rugelach with the egg wash and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
12. Bake at 175 degrees C for 15-20 minutes or until golden.