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    Home » Recipes » Slice and Bake Cookies

    Chocolate Rugelach

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Dec 20, 2021 · Modified: Mar 14, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Chocolate Rugelach are crisp, flaky pastries with a rich chocolate filling. This time saving version of rugelach cookies makes beautiful swirled treats that can be made ahead, then sliced and baked as needed.

    Golden brown cookies coated in sugar with a spiral of chocolate filling on a red plate.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Rugelach are traditional Jewish, filled cookies that originated in Eastern Europe. The name comes from the Yiddish word for " little twists ".

    The most common shape for these buttery treats is a crescent, like these Raspberry Rugelach. The tender, cream cheese dough is spread with different fillings and then cut into individual triangles which are rolled up into crescents.

    For these Chocolate Rugelach, the dough is spread with creamy, dark chocolate filling and rolled into a log. After chilling, the dough logs can be sliced and baked immediately or frozen to be sliced into cookies when you need them.

    Especially during the holiday season, slice and bake cookies are a welcome time saver! The beautiful swirls and the sparkling sugar makes rugelach a festive and delicious addition to holiday platters and homemade gifts.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients labeled; unsalted butter, flour, vanilla, cream cheese, granulated sugar, dark chocolate, large crystal sugar, cream.

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

    Cookies

    Instructions labeled; combine cream cheese and butter, add flour and sugar, divide dough, chill, roll out.
    1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine cream cheese and butter until smooth.
    2. Add the sugar and flour to the processor bowl. Pulse 6-10 times until dough just comes together.
    3. Divide dough in tow equal portions and shape into 2 discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. About 30 minutes before baking, make the chocolate filling and allow it to cool.
    4. Use a rolling pin to roll out one piece of dough (leaving the other in the fridge until needed)between two sheets of parchment paper, into a rectangle about 12” in long and ⅛" thick. Sprinkle the parchment and the dough with flour to keep it from sticking.
    Instructions labeled; spread chocolate filling over dough, roll into log, coat with sugar, wrap and freeze.
    1. Spread 3 tablespoons of chocolate filling in an even layer over the dough, stopping ½" away from the edges.
    2. Roll the dough into a log, starting on a long end.
    3. Roll the dough log in sparkling sugar to coat.
    4. Wrap the parchment around the sugar coated dough log, then wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze for at least 1 hour- overnight.
    Instructions labeled; cut ¼" slices, dip in sugar, place on cookie sheet, bake until golden brown.
    1. Remove the dough from the freezer and cut into ¼" slices.
    2. Dip one side of each slice in sparkling sugar.
    3. Place cookies on parchment lined baking sheet pans, sugar side up.
    4. Bake until golden brown.

    Chocolate Filling

    Filling Instructions labeled; combine sugar, cream, salt, simmer, add chocolate, butter, vanilla, mix until smooth.

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    1. Combine the sugar, cream, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
    2. Simmer, stirring continually until the sugar dissolves.
    3. Remove from heat. Add the chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes to soften.
    4. Mix until completely smooth. Set the chocolate mixture aside to cool while rolling out the dough.

    Storage

    Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

    For freezing after baking, stack Rugelach cookies in a column and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the bundled cookies in a freezer weight zip lock bag or storage container.

    Dough logs can be frozen for 1-2 months is well wrapped in plastic wrap.

    Tips and variations

    • For easy rolling out of the dough, be sure to flour the parchment on the bottom and the top of the dough.
    • If the dough becomes sticky and difficult to roll into a log, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes to firm it slightly.
    • The dough logs can be frozen for a month or more. Slice and bake as needed.
    • If the cookies are cut thicker than ¼" they will soft rather than crisp. For soft cookies cut the dough log in 1" pieces and bake each piece standing up (rather than spiral facing up as in this recipe).
    • Use semisweet chocolate instead of dark chocolate in the filling for a sweeter cookie that may be more child friendly.
    • For a variety of alternate fillings, see the post for Raspberry Rugelach made in a crescent shape.
    • Enjoy the make ahead ease of slice and bake cookies throughout the year. Triangle Cookies for Purim are an example of how a log of cookie dough can be a time saver!
    Closeup stack of rugelach cookies showing sugar coating and spiral of chocolate filling.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can you freeze chocolate rugelach?

    Freeze baked rugelach in layers separated by wax paper or parchment, in an airtight container. When ready to eat, defrost the cookies at room temperature.

    Can you freeze unbaked rugelach?

    To freeze before baking, thoroughly wrap the dough log in plastic wrap. When ready to bake, defrost until just soft enough to slice.

    More filled cookies

    Hamantaschen are Jewish Purim treats. These soft, triangular cookies are folded around sweet filling, like jam or peanut butter cups.

    Pineapple Cookies are melt in your mouth balls of butter cookie filled with quick and easy, homemade pineapple jam.

    Secret Kiss Cookies are cake-like chocolate cookies covered in chocolate and sprinkles. A hidden candy kiss is nestled inside.

    Apples and cherries fill these Jam Cookies with a swirl of fruity flavor.

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Chocolate Rugelach

    This Chocolate Rugelach recipe makes thin crispy cookies with a buttery pastry dough and a bitter sweet swirl of chocolate.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: European, Jewish
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Chill time: 3 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 48
    Calories: 88kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: Dorie Greenspan and Melissa Clark

    Ingredients

    Cookie dough

    • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
    • 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature, cut into chunks
    • ¼ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour

    Chocolate filling

    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
    • 1 pinch salt
    • 1 ½ ounces dark chocolate coarsely chopped
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut in chunks, room temperature
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Decoration

    • sparkling sugar large crystals

    Instructions

    Cookie dough

    • In the bowl of a food processor, combine cream cheese and butter until smooth.
    • Add the granulated sugar and flour to the processor bowl. Pulse 6-10 times until dough just comes together.
    • Divide dough in half and shape into 2 discs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

    Chocolate filling (prepare when ready to roll out the dough)

    • Combine the sugar, cream, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat.
    • Simmer, stirring continually until the sugar dissolves.
    • Remove from heat. Add the chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Allow it to rest for 5 minutes to soften.
    • Mix until completely smooth. Set aside to cool while rolling out the dough

    Cookie assembly

    • Between two sheets of parchment paper sprinkled with flour to keep the dough from sticking, roll out one piece of dough (leaving the remaining dough in the fridge until needed) into a rectangle about 12” in long and ⅛" thick.
    • Spread 3 tablespoons of chocolate filling evenly over the dough, stopping ½" away from the edges.
    • Roll the rugelach dough into a log, starting on a long side.
    • Sprinkle the parchment with sparkling sugar and roll the log in the sugar to coat.
    • Wrap the coated log in the parchment paper and then in plastic wrap. Freeze for at least 1 hour.
    • When ready to bake, heat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Remove the dough from the freezer, unwrap and use a sharp knife to cut the log into ¼" slices.
    • Pour the large crystal sparkling sugar into a small bowl and gently press the top of each slice into the sugar before placing on the prepared cookie sheet, sugared side up.
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are a deep golden brown.
    • Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
    • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    • For easy rolling out of the dough, be sure to flour the parchment on the bottom and the top of the dough.
    • If the dough becomes sticky and difficult to roll into a log, refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes to firm it slightly.
    • The dough logs can be frozen for a month or more. Slice and bake as needed.
    • If the cookies are cut thicker than ¼" they will soft rather than crisp. For soft cookies cut the dough log in 1" pieces and bake each piece standing up (rather than spiral facing up as in this recipe).
    • Use parchment paper and not silicone mats to line the baking sheets. Silicone mats can cause the buttery dough to spread.
    • Use semisweet chocolate instead of dark chocolate in the filling for a sweeter cookie that may be more child friendly.
    • For a variety of alternate filling ingredients, see the post for Raspberry Rugelach made in  crescent shapes.
    • For a touch of cinnamon, sprinkle the chocolate filling with cinnamon sugar before rolling the dough into a log.
    Packing tips
    • Wrap stacks of cookies in plastic wrap, then place the wrapped bundles in a freezer weight ziplock plastic bag.
    • For longer shipping times, vacuum sealing is recommended.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

    1. Happy Baker

      December 05, 2022 at 6:28 pm

      I have made so many different varieties of rugelach over the years but nothing like these. They turned out absolutely amazing and the taste was unbelievable.
      Just out of curiosity if using a good quality of jam would this recipe be suitable, for the jam to be rolled and cut.
      These will be a welcome addition to my other Hanukkah treats. Thanks once again.

      Reply
      • Wendy Sondov

        December 05, 2022 at 6:49 pm

        I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the slice and bake rugelach!! I also had only baked and eaten the crescent shape before these. The dough recipe is identical to the Raspberry Rugelach recipe that uses jam and a crescent shape. I haven't tried using the slice method with jam filling, but I think it should work. Bon Appetit has a sliced raspberry jam rugelach recip that they cut thick wedges. You have to subscribe to their magazine to get their recipe but you can see the photo of their cookie. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/raspberry-rugelach Happy Hanukkah baking. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Deb

      December 23, 2021 at 12:20 pm

      What if you don't have heavy cream?? Can it be substituted?

      Reply
      • Wendy Sondov

        December 23, 2021 at 1:02 pm

        Hi, Deb. The best substitute for heavy cream in baking would be whole milk plus butter. For the 3 tablespoons of cream called for in this filling recipe, I would change it to 7 teaspoons whole milk and 2 teaspoons butter (about 1/4 more fat). You just want to add the missing fat that provides structure. Will this work for you?

        Reply
    3. Carlee

      December 21, 2021 at 5:58 am

      They look delicious and the spirals are so pretty!

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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