So You Think You Can Stop After Eating Just One? Ha!

I finally decided to make Rugulach for our book club meeting get together. This great cookie has been around for centuries and the name means "little rolled things." But as my title implies they are so delicious it is hard to stop at just one. Here is the recipe:

Walnut and Apricot Rugulach

Pastry:
1 (8-ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Filling:
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger and cardamom
1/4 cup apricot marmalade

Topping:
1 large egg
2 tablespoons coarse sugar (Raw or Turbinado sugar)

1. For Pastry: In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy; beat in sugar. Stir in flour until well combined. Form into a ball; cut into 4 pieces and shape into discs. Wrap individually in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling.

2. For Filling: In small bowl, stir together walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom.

3. Assembly: On lightly floured surface, roll each disc into an 11-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick. Spread 3 tablespoons marmalade over top; sprinkle with 1/4 of the walnut mixture. Cut into 12 wedges. Starting from the wide end, roll up each wedge to for a crescent roll.

4. Place each crescent 2-inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.

5. Beat egg lightly; brush over each crescent and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake in 350 degree oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool on pan 5 minutes before transferring to rack to cool completely.

Makes 48 rugulach. Note: I used a lot more than 1/4 cup marmalade. Also, please be sure to use the parchment paper when baking these as the marmalade bubbles out but won't stick to the parchment. These are yummy, and the title of this post is the Yiddish meaning for the word "rugulach!"