Rugelach with Variations

== Ingredients ==
=== Basic rugelach ===
* 1 cup butter softened
* 1 x 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 2 cups sifted all purpose flour
=== Coconut chocolate filling ===
* ⅓ cup apricot preserves
* ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut
* ½ cup slivered almonds toasted
* ½ cup semisweet chocolate mini chips
* 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
=== Mincemeat filling ===
* 1½ cups prepared mincemeat
* 1 tablespoon brandy or orange juice
* 1 cup + 2 tablespoons ground walnuts
* 1 large egg white
=== Apricot coconut filling ===
* ¾ cup dried apricots
* 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
* 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
* ¼ cup flaked coconut
=== Chocolate peanut butter filling ===
* ¼ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
* ¼ cup chunky peanut butter
=== Cranberry orange filling ===
* ¼ cup orange marmalade
* ¼ cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
* 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
=== Poppy seed filling ===
* ½ cup golden raisins
* ¼ cup poppy seeds
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* pinch of ground cinnamon
=== Ricotta raisin filling ===
* ½ cup very fresh ricotta cheese
* ¼ cup chopped golden raisins
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
* yolk of 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
* ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
* ground cinnamon to taste
* freshly grated nutmeg to taste
== Directions ==
=== Basic rugelach ===
# Mix the basic rugelach ingredients.
# Roll the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic; flatten into a rectangle.
# Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. 
=== Coconut chocolate filling ===
# Melt preserves in a microwave or a small saucepan over low heat.
# Press through a fine strainer into a small bowl.
# Brush pastry with preserves (approximately ¼ of preserves per pastry-it will barely cover the dough).
# Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons coconut, 2 tablespoons each almonds and chocolate chips and 1-tablespoon sugar.
# Gently press filling into dough.
# This is based on the pastry being divided into four portions.
=== Mincemeat filling ===
# In food processor, process mincemeat and brandy until blended.
# Transfer mixture to bowl; stir in 1 cup ground walnuts; set aside.
# Based on dividing dough into four parts.
# Spread pastry to ¼ inch of edge with heaping ⅓-cup mincemeat mixture.
# Proceed with cutting into wedges and roll up each wedge beginning at end on outside of pastry round.
# Beat egg white with 1 teaspoon water ½ in custard cup, combine remaining ground walnuts and sugar; brush each cookie with some of the egg white mixture and sprinkle with some of the walnut mixture.
# Bake as directed.
Each of the following fillings makes about ½ cup.
=== Apricot coconut filling ===
# In food processor or blender, process ¾ cup dried apricots, 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice and 2 teaspoons grated orange peel until apricots are finely chopped and mixture is thoroughly blended.
# Stir in ¼ cup flaked coconut.
=== Chocolate peanut butter filling ===
# In small bowl, stir ¼ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips and ¼ cup chunky peanut butter until thoroughly mixed.
=== Cranberry orange filling ===
# In small bowl, stir ¼ cup orange marmalade, ¼ cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries and 1 tablespoon grated orange peel until thoroughly mixed.
=== Poppy seed filling ===
# In food processor or blender, process ½ cup golden raisins, ¼ cup poppy seeds, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice and pinch of ground cinnamon until raisins are finely chopped and mixture is thoroughly blended.
=== Ricotta raisin filling ===
# In small bowl, combine ½ cup very fresh ricotta cheese, ¼ cup chopped golden raisins, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, yolk of 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and ground cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg to taste; stir until thoroughly blended.
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Category:World Recipes
Category:Hanukkah Desserts
Category:Wheat flour Recipes
Category:Cream cheese Recipes
Category:Apricot preserves and jam Recipes
Category:Mincemeat Recipes
Category:Coconut Recipes
Category:Peanut butter Recipes
Category:Semi-sweet chocolate Recipes
Category:Chocolate chip Recipes
Category:Marmalade Recipes
Category:Cranberry Recipes
Category:Lemon juice Recipes
Category:Ricotta cheese Recipes
Category:Lemon peel Recipes
Category:Egg yolk Recipes
Category:Egg white Recipes
Category:Golden raisin Recipes
Category:Poppy seed Recipes
Category:Brandy Recipes
Category:Orange juice Recipes
Category:Orange peel Recipes
Category:Dried apricot Recipes
Category:Almond Recipes
Category:Walnut Recipes