Ron's Date Rugelach Recipe

Name: Ron's Date Rugelach
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature; 2 cups all-purpose flour (measured and sifted); 2 cups plus 1/2 cup pitted dates; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) apple or orange juice; 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts; All-purpose flour, for dusting; 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter; 1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon of milk or cream

Servings: persons

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour (measured and sifted)
2 cups plus 1/2 cup pitted dates
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) apple or orange juice
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
All-purpose flour, for dusting
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon of milk or cream

1
For the classic cream cheese dough: Combine the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.
2
Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
3
Switch to low speed and gradually add in the flour.
4
Stop the mixer and scrape the bowl and beater to make sure it is well mixed.
5
The dough will be sticky.
6
Divide the dough into three portions, wrap each in plastic wrap and flatten to a disk.
7
Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
8
For the filling: Pulse the dates with the cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a food processor, adding a tablespoon of apple juice at a time.
9
The filling needs to be spreadable but can have few chunks remaining.
10
Mix in the walnuts.
11
To assemble the rugelach: Dust the work surface with the flour and roll each dough portion to a 10-inch circle.
12
Lightly brush each circle with the melted butter, then evenly spread a thin layer of the filling.
13
Using a pizza wheel, divide each circle into four quarters.
14
Divide each quarter into three thin triangles, for a total of 12 wedges.
15
Roll each triangle from the curved side to the point and place on a parchment-lined or nonstick baking sheet.
16
Refrigerate the sheets for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Note: The rugelach can be frozen on the trays and then stored in a zip-top bag in the freezer for baking fresh later.
17
Carefully brush each rugelach with the egg wash, trying to avoid drips.
18
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until deep golden.
19
Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

1090

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 12 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, 2 cups all-purpose flour (measured and sifted), 2 cups plus 1/2 cup pitted dates, and more.

Yes, Ron's Date Rugelach falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Ron's Date Rugelach

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions