Cheese and Herb Rugelach Recipe | The Nosher (2024)

Appetizer

A savory rugelach that's perfect for lunch or pairing with wine at dinner.

BySamantha Ferraro|

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‘Tis the season for all things indulgent andrugelach is my absolute favorite thing to bake during this time of year. It reminds me of my grandma’s rugelach when I was little. She would keep a few in the cookie jar and I remember sneaking in and very carefully, or what I thought was very carefully, stealing just one more bite. Then I would hear a voice from the skies (or really, the second floor) yelling down at me, “No more cookies, Samantha!”

I swearshe had eyes in the back of her head.

Cheese and Herb Rugelach Recipe | The Nosher (1)

Not only is rugelach my favorite thing to make but even the LA Times said I did a snazzy job.I love playing with flavors and twisting ideas and cuisines around. And even though I love baking sweets during the winter holiday season,I am always craving some savory flavors. For this reasonI took inspiration from some of my favorite Italian flavor pairings: salty Parmesan with creamy ricotta and freshly chopped herbs makes for a beautiful anddecadent savory cookie. I recommend sprinkling some finesea salt for a glistening touch that will bring out the flavor even more.

So the next time you are thinking about making rugelach, ditch the sugar and add some cheese! I know you and your guests will “mangia”every last bite.

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Cheese and Herb Rugelach Recipe | The Nosher (2)
★★★★★5 from 1 review
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Savory, Italian-inspired rugelach filled with cheese and herbs.

  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 4 dozen 1x

For the dough:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • ½ lb unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 Tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 cups flour, sifted

For the filling:

  • 12 oz ricotta cheese, drained
  • 2 heads of garlic, roasted
  • 1 sprig of each: rosemary, oregano and thyme (or your favorite fresh herbs), removed from stems and chopped finely
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • sea salt

Instructions

  1. To caramelize garlic, cut each head of garlic in half and wrap halves in tin foil. Roast garlic in the oven at 400°Ffor about 30-40 minutes or until the garlic is tender and caramelized. When done, remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
  2. To make the dough, use a stand mixer and beat together the cream cheese and butter until creamy on medium speed. Then add Parmesan cheese and lemon zest and continue to mix until incorporated.
  3. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add in the sifted flour and mix just until combined. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated. Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and roll into a ball. Cut the ball in quarters and wrap each quarter in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  4. For the filling, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped herbs and caramelized garlic. Make sure to remove the soft cloves by squeezing the bulb and adding the soft garlic cloves to the cheese mixture. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  5. Take one dough ball out of fridge (leaving others chilled until ready to use) and on a well-floured surface, roll it out using a floured rolling pin. Roll it out to about 9 inches in diameter. Use a round object (a cheesecake pan works well) and outline a circle then use a knife to cut a perfect circle. Save scraps to roll out later.
  6. Spread 2 Tbsp of cheese mixture onto the dough in a thin layer, leaving a border. Then cut the circle into eighths.
  7. Roll the rugelach by starting at the outer end of the triangle and roll in making a little crescent shape. Place all rugelach end side down on a lined baking sheet and brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle each rugelach with sea salt.
  8. Bake at 350°Ffor about 15-18 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  9. When done, remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Author: Samantha Ferraro
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Ashkenazi

2 comments

Leave a Comment

  • Donna LMarch 18, 2024

    Absolutely the best recipe yet. I’m new at Rugelaching and found this to be very good and easy recipe to follow. Can’y wait to try more.

    Reply

    • The NosherMarch 18, 2024

      We’re so pleased you like it!

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Cheese and Herb Rugelach Recipe | The Nosher (2024)

FAQs

What is a fun fact about rugelach? ›

Historically, Rugelach is said to be linked with the Viennese Kipfel, crescent shaped pastries which commemorate the lifting of the Turkish siege in the Battle of Vienna. Rugelach is also similar in shape to the French croissant, which may be a descendant of the popular sweet pastry.

What is rugelach dough made of? ›

Satiny soft dough made with butter, cream cheese, and sour cream wrapped around a filling of sugar, nuts, and dried fruit: that's rugelach, which in Yiddish means "little twists." Beloved in many Jewish communities, these cookies flake like a Danish or croissant with its buttery flavor the perfect foil for the sweet ...

Does rugelach contain nuts? ›

The different fillings can include raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, chocolate, marzipan, poppy seed, or fruit preserves which are rolled up inside.

Where is chocolate rugelach from? ›

The word “Rugelach” in Yiddish means “l*ttle twists.” The cookies originated in Ashkenazi Polish Jewish communities, but are popular with people of all backgrounds and cultures nowadays. They can be filled with several different fillings like cinnamon and sugar, chocolate, Nutella, jams, or nut butters!

Why do Jews eat rugelach? ›

Rugelach are often served on Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Shavuot, though of course they can (and should!) be made throughout the year. Our family typically serves them during Rosh Hashanah, when sweet foods are made to signify a sweet new year.

What does rugelach mean in Yiddish? ›

Yiddish rugelekh, rogelekh, plural of rugele, rogele, diminutive of rog corner, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish róg horn, corner.

What is the difference between American and Israeli rugelach? ›

Rugelach

In Israel, rugelach are still made with yeasted dough, which results in squidgy, dense pastries, while in the States, the yeast — a complex, time-consuming ingredient to work with — was replaced sometime around the 1930s by a simpler dough enriched with cream cheese, yielding a flakier cookie.

Should you refrigerate rugelach? ›

Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftover rugelach in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage.

Is rugelach Ashkenazi? ›

Rugelach (or Ruglulach) is a Jewish pastry of Ashkenazi origin and is made with a cream cheese dough and different fillings that can include raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, chocolate, or apricot jam preserve.

What is the difference between babka and rugelach? ›

Babka is a yeast bread that is rolled with chocolate filling. It's usually made in a loaf pan. Rugelach is rolled like croissants. The main differences between the two of them are their shape and the type of dough they use.

How long does rugelach last in the fridge? ›

Storage: Rugelach will keep at room temperature for 3 days (wrapped tightly) or 1 to 2 weeks longer in the refrigerator. Freezer: Freeze the discs of dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with the recipe.

How long can rugelach last? ›

Hi- It will stay fresh for a week or so at room temperature. If frozen, which is what I do when I bring it back to the states, it can stay fresh for months.

What is an interesting fact about the dessert? ›

The word dessert comes from the French verb desservir, meaning 'to clear the table'. When dessert first appeared as part of our eating rituals, it was to allow the tables to be cleared for the after-dinner activities; sweetmeats and spiced wines were consumed standing up, away from the table.

What is the history behind rugelach? ›

Rugelach can be made with different kinds of dough, such as sour cream, cream cheese, or yeast. Some people believe that rugelach is related to the French croissant, but this is not proven, and some food historians believe it was inspired by similar pastries from the Ottoman Empire or the Austrian Kipferl or Kifli.

Why is rugelach important? ›

A perfect rugelach can reduce a grown-up to tears and can convince the most unruly youth to behave. Perfect rugelach or babka also can be used as a bargaining chip in the heated and contested negotiations.

What are some fun facts about flan? ›

The Roman Empire is the true origin of this dessert. The word flan is the French equivalent of the Latin word fladon, which comes from the Old High German word “flado,” meaning “flat cake.” Flan was once a savory dish, usually made from fish or meat. Today, the dessert has evolved into something sweet.

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