Chocolate Hazelnut Rugelach

raditional rugelach is filled with jam, fruit and nuts, but chocolate and
hazelnut seemed just a smidge more celebratory to me. It also provided me
with another excuse to spread Nutella on something. These little crescent-shaped
cookies fall under the more-ish category of baking. You eat one and you have to
have more.
Chocolate Hazelnut Rugelach
1 1⁄2 cups pastry flour
⁄2 teaspoon salt
1
⁄2 cup cream cheese, full fat
cream cheese and butter on high speed until well blended.
1
⁄2 cup butter, room temperature
Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the sugar and continue
1
⁄2 cup granulated sugar
to beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
1 cup nutella
1
⁄2 cup hazelnuts
2.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the
3.
Turn the mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredients.
Continue to beat until well combined.
FINISHING TOUCHES
1 large egg
4.
Divide the dough in two. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and
chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
1 tablespoon water
5.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Course sanding sugar
6.
Place the Nutella in a small bowl and use a spoon to give it a
M A K E S : 2 dozen cookies
Y O U W I L L N E E D : 2 (11- x 17-inch)
rimmed cookie sheets lined with
parchment paper
soda and salt. Set aside.
1
On a large piece of parchment paper, sift the flour, baking
⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1.
1
S T O R A G E : these cookies will keep
in an airtight container for up to
1 week or in the freezer for up
to 3 months.
good stir to help loosen it up. This will make it easier to spread
across the tender dough.
7.
Use a large chef ’s knife to chop the hazelnuts. Set aside.
8.
Place a chilled piece of dough on a lightly floured work
surface and use a rolling pin to roll it into a circle about 9 inches
in diameter.
9.
Use a small offset spatula to carefully spread the Nutella across
the dough. The dough is very tender, so work carefully to avoid it
tearing it. If it does tear, not to worry, just press it back together.
10.
Nutella.
198
Sprinkle half of the chopped hazelnuts over the top of the
•
B u t t e r C e L e B r at e s !
11.
Use the large chef ’s knife to cut the dough into quarters and
then each quarter into thirds, just like if you were cutting a pie.
12.
Start at the wide end of a piece of dough and roll it toward
the point. Bend the two ends in slightly to create a crescent
shape and then place it on a prepared tray.
13.
Repeat with the balance of the dough.
14.
Combine the egg and water in a small bowl and whisk them
together. Use your pastry brush to lightly coat the top and sides
of each cookie. Sprinkle generously with the sanding sugar.
15.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cookies have
puffed up and are a lovely golden brown. Remove the cookies
from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool.