Maple-Nut Rugelach Cookies

Manda's Note:

Tried these cookies a few years ago for Christmas, and have been making them ever since. Looks like you put a lot of work into them, but they are really not very difficult. These are always the first to go on our cookie tray, and I often end up making extra batches. (I made 4 batches this year!) Prep. time includes refrigeration time.

• Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 3 hrs
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 32 cookies

Dough

• 4 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 1⁄3; cup butter , room temp
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 ½ cups flour

Filling

• 1 cup finely ground walnuts
• 1⁄3; cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1⁄8; teaspoon cinnamon

To brush on cookies

• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon water

For sprinkling

• 1 -2 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1. Beat together cream cheese, butter, sugar, maple syrup, salt and egg yolk in large bowl until smooth.
2. Beat in flour just until blended.
3. Shape into ball and refrigerate about 2 hours.
4. Meanwhile prepare filling: Stir together walnuts, 1/3 c sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon in medium bowl.
5. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 2 large baking sheets.
6. Divide chilled dough in half, and roll one half out on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness.
7. Trim dough to form a 10-inch circle.
8. Spread half of walnut mixture evenly over dough.
9. Cut circle into 16 wedges, like you would cut a pizza (A pizza-cutter works great).
10. Starting with wide end, roll up each wedge jelly-roll fashion (Will look like a little crescent roll).
11. Place on baking sheet, point side down.
12. Repeat with remaining half of dough.
13. Lightly beat egg white with water, and brush over cookies.
14. Sprinkle with sugar.
15. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Reviews

[Nikoma]

This dough just wouldn't roll for me. It just stuck to everything so I did them one by one by hand. Very good cookies, like a little nut roll! The filling is great. Next time I think I'll make them as little round bundles.

[Sadlbum]

I made these for my christmas platter and were enjoyed by all. Very pretty, not super sweet, and not the usual cookie presentation. It's always nice to have something different!

[tara portee]

These were just perfect. They have great visual appeal, plus they are quiet delicious. My husband said they tasted like cinnamon rolls.