Chocolate Pecan Rugelach with Apricot Preserves

by Lynne on April 2, 2014

Post image for Chocolate Pecan Rugelach with Apricot Preserves

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 7

You know how it is when you move, all the friends and relatives want to come over and see the new place. I wasn’t quite up to a full-blown dinner party, but I did want to have some nice little tea and crumpets for them to nosh on, after the grand tour. Lol. The grand tour isn’t much in a two bedroom apartment, let me tell you. But I did make these Rugelach and they were a big hit.


Coralina 2

The really BIG EXCITING NEWS is that on March 21st my new granddaughter, Coralina, was born. Remember the wedding of my oldest son, David and Loan-Anh, last May? Well, they are now the proud new parents of this beautiful babykins. They live near Davis, CA, and I am in Los Angeles, so I am hoping to go visit them in the near future. You remember how magical babies smell and how you can cup their round fuzzy heads in your hand. Oh yes, I am really looking forward to meeting her for the first time. Hugs and kisses.

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 3

To make the rugelach, the dough is rolled out and spread with apricot preserves, then sprinkled with the chocolate, pecan and currant mixture.

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 4

The circle is cut into pie wedges and rolled up, starting from the large edge. Yes, the filling does its darndest to fall out, but push it back in and persevere.

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 5

You really can get 24 rugelach on each cookie sheet, by turning them at an angle. They’re brushed with more apricot preserves before being popped in the oven.

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 6

After about 20 minutes in the oven, the smell of apricot preserves filled every room. It was so delicious an aroma that I couldn’t wait to shoot them. Here they are in the oven.

This post was about two yummy little sweet things. Being a grandma is such an amazing thing, and now I will be able to share baby pics and baby stories. So much fun!

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan 7

[print_link]

Rugelach ~ Chocolate Currant Pecan with Apricot Preserves

Makes 48 Rugelach

2 sticks (8 ounces) salted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup sour cream
5 tablespoon sugar
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used chocolate chips)
1 cup pecans (about 4 ounces), coarsely chopped
1/3 cup dried currants (soaked in water or spirits if very dry; drained and dried)
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons apricot preserves, strained

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer on high speed until soft and creamy, about 1 minute.

2. Mix in sour cream and 2 tablespoons of sugar until well combined, about 1 minute.

3. Stir in flour by hand until well blended. Wrap dough in plastic swap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

4. In a medium bowl, combine chocolate, pecans, plumped currants, cinnamon and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar. Set aside at room temperature.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Place 2 oven racks in upper and lower third of oven.

6. Divide dough into 4 equal portions; refrigerate all but 1. On a lightly floured surface, form dough into a ball and flatten it out. Roll dough into a circle about 10 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick.

7. Brush 2 tablespoons of apricot preserves over dough. Sprinkle 2/3 cup chocolate mixture evenly over dough and press down gently. Cut dough into 12 triangles.

8. Starting with first triangle, roll dough tightly, but carefully, from the wide end toward the point. Place the rugelach, with the pointed side underneath, on parchment lined baking sheet.

9. Roll up remaining triangles in same manner and arrange on baking sheet, about ½ inch apart. Repeat with remaining 3 dough balls, preserves and chocolate mixture.

10. Lightly brush tops of rugelach with remaining 2 tablespoons apricot preserves.

11. Bake, switching sheets after 20 minutes, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until well browned. Immediately transfer rugelach to rack to cool.

Note: The rugelach can be frozen, well wrapped, for up to 2 weeks; let return to room temperature before serving.

{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }

Lentil Breakdown April 3, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Wow, congrats! Such exciting news! Love her name and she is adorable!

I’ve never seen a rugelach recipe quite like this one, and I’ve seen a lot! And I learned a new trick, brushing the tops with the apricot preserves. That first photo is perhaps the single best rugelach shot in the history of rugelach photography. I’m dyin’ over here!

Coco in the Kitchen April 4, 2014 at 12:45 pm

What a beautiful little girl Coralina is. As pretty as her name.
Congrats, Lynne!

Love rugelach. Funny that you posted your recipe as they were on my mind recently. I made Armenian nazook cookies which are similar but more work
and was looking for a good rugelach recipe. Good thing I found yours!
Have a great w/end and don’t forget to enter in my latest giveaway – there will be THREE winners! xo

sippitysup April 12, 2014 at 4:07 pm

I’m arriving at the party a bit late. But what a bundle of joy (the baby’s cute too!). GREG

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: