Rugelach

Ingredients

• 1 cup (8 oz.) cream cheese at room temperature
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter at room temperature,
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 1/3 cups finely chopped walnuts
• 4 tbsps melted butter
• 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tsp milk

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Directions: ---

2. 2

   To prepare dough, beat cream cheese & butter together until smooth & fluffy

3. 3

   Gradually add half the flour, until blended then add remaining flour

4. 4

   Scrape dough onto lightly floured work service & divide into thirds

5. 5

   Shape each portion into a disk & wrap in plastic wrap

6. 6

   Refrigerate dough overnight

7. 7

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees

8. 8

   Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper

9. 9

   To prepare filling, combine sugar, cinnamon & walnuts

10. 10

    Roll one portion of dough on lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle

11. 11

    Brush with 1/3 of melted butter & sprinkle with 1/3 of the walnut mixture

12. 12

    Cover dough with wax paper & press filling into dough

13. 13

    Remove wax paper & cut into 12 wedges

14. 14

    Roll each wedge from it wide side edge & set rolls point side down on baking sheet, 1 inch apart

15. 15

    Repeat with remaining dough, butter & filling

16. 16

    Brush rolls lightly with egg yolk mixture

17. 17

    Bake for 30 minutes or until pastries are golden brown

18. 18

    Rotate baking sheets to ensure even browning

19. 19

    Transfer to a wire rack to cool

20. 20

    Optional: Dip pastries into confectioner's sugar upon serving