Onion Jam and Goat Cheese Rugelach

4.0

(2)

2 Reviews

Originating in Eastern Europe, recipes for rugelach evolved after landing in America. The crescent-shaped cookies are typically layered with jam and chopped nuts and topped with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, but the dough makes a surprisingly compatible home for savory fillings. These are spread with a thick homemade onion jam flavored with balsamic vinegar, sumac, and coriander. Serve them as an hors d'oeuvre with a glass of sparkling wine while lighting Hanukkah candles, and save the leftovers for a decadent snack the next day.

Leah Koenig

Updated on August 2, 2023

Tested by

Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Onion Jam and Goat Cheese Rugelach — Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis

Active Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Total Time:

6 hrs 35 mins

Yield:

32 rugelach

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Dough

1 cup unsalted butter (8 ounces), cut into pieces, at room temperature
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut into pieces, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups all-purpose flour (about 81/2 ounce), plus more for work surface

Onion Jam

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 3/4 pounds yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 7 cups)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 cup (6 ounces) dry white wine
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon ground sumac
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup), divided
1 large egg, beaten

Directions

Make the dough

Beat butter, cream cheese, and salt with a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until fluffy and creamy, about 2 minutes. With mixer running on low speed, gradually add flour, beating until soft, large clumps form, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape sides as needed. Turn dough out onto a clean work surface. Knead until dough just comes together. Divide dough in half; pat each half into a 5-inch disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Make the onion jam

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or a large, wide saucepan over medium. Add onions and salt; stir to coat onions in oil. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and start to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in wine, sugar, vinegar, sumac, coriander, and pepper. Let mixture come to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally and spreading onions in an even layer, until onions are sitting in a small pool of liquid, about 30 minutes. Uncover and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are dry and just starting to stick to bottom of Dutch oven, 25 to 30 minutes. Spread cooked onions in an even layer on a large plate; let cool 30 minutes.
Remove 1 dough disk from refrigerator, and unwrap. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about a 12-inch circle (about 1/8 inch thick). Trim off and discard any ragged edges. Using a small offset spatula, spread half of onion mixture (about 3/4 cup) evenly over dough. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 cup goat cheese. Using a pizza cutter or sharp chef's knife, cut circle evenly into quarters. Cut each quarter into 4 wedges to yield 16 long, thin wedges. Roll up each wedge starting at the wide end. Arrange rolled rugelach 2 inches apart with pointed ends facing down on 2 rimmed baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Chill 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush tops of rugelach with some of the beaten egg. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and tops are crisp, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating pans from front to back halfway through bake time. Immediately transfer rugelach to wire racks; let cool about 15 minutes. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining dough, filling, goat cheese, and beaten egg.

Make Ahead

Dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in refrigerator.