TWD: Rugelach

This week's Tuesday's with Dorie recipe is Rugelach, chosen by Piggy of Piggy's Cooking Journal. Thanks, Piggy! Me loves some rugelach! You can find Dorie Greenspan's recipe and commentary about her rugelach HERE.

Just for fun... let's pretend you came over and we're making rugelach together, and all the while I'm telling you about my freak encounter with the forces of Good versus Evil yesterday.

OK, first we make our dough, split it in two, and refrigerate. Once chilled, roll each half into a circle.


"So anyway, it all started innocently enough with me stopping by one of my favorite lunch spots for a bite to eat. After I finished, I took my bill to the cashier and start fishing through my purse for my credit card. Sadly, I remember that I left all of my credit cards in the backpack I used for our weekend excursion with the kids. Of course, I had no cash (of course!)

I explain this to the cashier and ask if I can write a check. A terse "we don't take checks" was the reply. So I launch into my story again about forgetting the credit cards, I'm very sorry, etc., etc. ... thinking perhaps she's not understanding that a check is the only option outside of me getting a free meal. "

OK, next, spread a thin layer of warmed raspberry jam over the dough.


"By then, the manager comes along (or owner, maybe? I don't know, but it quickly became apparent that he's the Guy in Charge (GIC)). The cashier explains the situation to GIC and he looks at me and deadpans "well then, I guess we'll have to call the police and have you arrested". I wait for the smile, the joking laugh, but none come. It slowly dawns on me that he is serious as a heart attack. (we're talking about a $6.97 bill here). I then start my speech again, "I forgot, blah, blah, blah and all I have is a check". "

Next, sprinkle on the cinnamon sugar and pecans .


"GIC is looking very grave and serious. Cashier is looking very grave and serious. I'm feeling like an 8-year old who's been sent to the Principal's office.

So then, GIC grudgingly mumbles "OK, then, we have to take a check", and he tells the cashier to be sure to write down my drivers license number on the check."

Next come the currants (except I used chopped, dried cherries instead.)


"I really, really hated that I had to deliver the next piece of Very Bad News, which is that I also didn't have my drivers license. (It's in the backpack, hiding out with the credit cards.)"

Finally, sprinkle on the chopped chocolate (or mini choco. chips, as in my case).


"But wait, I have my photo ID from work! He takes it, scowls, looks at the ID, looks at me, looks at the ID, looks at me (maybe I look like I've done hard time? I dunno). He is obviously very perturbed. Cashier is obviously very perturbed. I'm standing there wondering what the hell kind of alternate universe I've landed in, where paying by check seems to be the crime of the century, when an angel appears."

Cut the dough like you would a pizza, into 16 pieces (or 12 as I did here).


Starting at the wide end, roll up the dough, crescent roll style. Place the cookies on a parchment lined sheet. Chill. Brush with egg, sprinkle coarse sugar on top.


"An angel in the form of a young guy, maybe 20 years old. He steps up and hands the evil twosome his credit card and says "I'll get it". I babble something about writing him a check, getting his address... something, so I can repay him. But he says no.

I was so touched by his act of kindness that I almost cried right then and there. Thanks to him, I was no longer a loathsome, credit card-forgetting misfit."

Once again, good triumphs over evil and my faith in humanity is restored.

The End

Well, not quite.... time to talk about cookies. I've only made rugelach once before (different recipe) and I loved it. I don't know why I don't make it more often.

One thing about rugelach, it looks a little sloppy straight out of the oven.


I'm curious what everyone else does with the filling that oozes out of the cookie and leaks onto the parchment and burns. Or do yours not do that? I end up peeling off the nasty bits once the cookie has cooled.



The verdict? Delicious!! Worth the trouble of making them and picking off the nasty bits.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my Incredibly Long Post. :)