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4.7 from 75 votes

Chocolate Rugelach

Chocolate rugelach are buttery, flaky traditional Jewish treats that are traditionally served around Hanukkah (though I always have them on my Christmas cookie tray!). They may appear intimidating, but I'll walk you through all the steps so you can have flawless results at home!Be sure to read through the recipe before beginning, see the tips in the post, and check out the how-to video!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings: 64 chocolate rugelach cookies
Calories: 81 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Polish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ heaping teaspoon table salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter very cold and cut into 16 pieces
  • 6 oz cream cheese very cold, cut into 16 pieces
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
Chocolate filling
  • 8 oz semisweet chocolate¹
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ -½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional, I usually use ¼ teaspoon but add more for a stronger taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
Topping
  • 1 egg (any size)
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • Coarse sugar or nonpareil sprinkles for decorating, optional but recommended

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine flour, sugar, and salt in the basin of a food processor² (see note if you don't have a food processor) and pulse to combine.
  2. Sprinkle butter and cream cheese pieces over the top, add sour cream, and and pulse just into butter and cream cheese are cut into the dough. The mixture should still be quite crumbly and you will have chocolate chip-sized pieces of butter and cream cheese remaining. This is normal, don’t over-work your dough (see post or video for visual, if needed)!
  3. Transfer dough to a clean surface and work the crumbs together gently (don’t over-handle or the warmth of your hands will start to melt the butter) to form a log.
  4. Divide into 4 equal portions, flatten each into a disk that’s ½-1” thick. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 5 days.
  5. When dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside and prepare your chocolate filling
  6. Chocolate Filling
  7. Chop or break chocolate bar into small pieces and heat in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted.
  8. Add brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt and stir until combined. Mixture will appear grainy, this is normal (the "grain" from the sugar will disappear when the rugelach bakes) Set aside.
  9. Working with one disk at a time, remove one round of dough from the fridge and transfer to a clean, lightly floured surface. Roll into a 10” circle and immediately spread ¼ of the chocolate mixture in a thin layer over the circle.
  10. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut the dough into 16 even wedges (I cut mine just like I’m cutting a pizza).
  11. Starting from the larger side, roll one wedge over itself to form the rugelach and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Work quickly to roll each of the wedges as the chocolate will begin to harden fast and will make it difficult for you. However, even if the chocolate begins to solidify it should have been spread thinly enough that it should easily break as you roll and the rugelach should still look nice!
  12. Space cookies at least 2” apart on baking sheet.
  13. Prepare egg wash by whisking together egg with one teaspoon of water. Use a pastry brush to gently brush each cookie then sprinkle with coarse sugar or nonpareils.
  14. Transfer to 350F (175C) preheated oven and bake in the center rack for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  15. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying.

Notes

  • You can use chocolate bars (preferred) or chocolate chips (you would need about 1 ⅓ cup). Dark or milk chocolate will also work for this recipe. 
  • This recipe can be made without a food processor. Just use a pastry cutter or pair of knives to cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour mixture then stir in the sour cream and proceed with the recipe as indicated.
  • Keep at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping the cookies uncovered helps them retain their crispness, while covering them makes them softer. 
  • You can freeze the disks of dough for several months, simply thaw overnight in the fridge before using. You can also freeze the assembled cookies before baking. Roll the rugelach into cookies and freeze (skip the egg wash). Before baking, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and then bake from frozen, you will likely need a few extra minutes in the oven. 
  • Baked cookies may also be frozen for several months.
  •  

Nutrition Information

Serving 1rugelach Calories 81kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 14mg (5%) Sodium 18mg (1%) Potassium 33mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 137IU (3%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 64chocolate rugelach cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 81

% Daily Value*

Serving 1rugelach
Calories 81kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 14mg 5%
Sodium 18mg 1%
Potassium 33mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 137IU 3%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.