Gimmee Jimmy's Raspberry RugelachRugelach is an irresistible baked treat which is both delicious and versatile. They're a traditional Jewish delicacy, made with a crisp, flaky, buttery pastry rolled into a crescent shape, with a variety of filling options available.
Origins of Rugelach
Historically, Rugelach is said to be linked with the Viennese Kipfel, crescent shaped pastries which commemorate the lifting of the Turkish siege in the Battle of Vienna. Rugelach is also similar in shape to the French croissant, which may be a descendant of the popular sweet pastry. Traditionally, Rugelach was made with yeast dough as was filled with jam, poppy seed paste or nuts. Nowadays, the pastry has evolved to be made with a yeast-free cream cheese dough, which is both quicker and easier to make. The cream cheese dough was first used by American bakers in the 1940s, and now forms the staple of the modern Rugelach known and loved by sweet-toothed Americans today.
There’s some controversy over the origins of the word Rugelach, with some saying that the root of the word is rog, in Yiddish meaning corner or twist, referring to the shape of the pastry, while others claim the root is rugel, meaning royal and referring to the taste. Whichever meaning is correct, we think these mini crescent-shaped delights are simply divine!
Rugelach Fillings
It’s easy to find Rugelach to cater to everyone’s tastes, with traditional fillings including raisins, nuts, cinnamon, chocolate or jam. Cream cheese fillings are also a popular choice and make these little bites of deliciousness even more decadent and melt-in-your-mouth. Traditionally, Rugelach is eaten on the Jewish Sabbath, but it can also be enjoyed all year round, and makes a lovely gift to give to celebrate Hannukah or any other holiday. If you’re hosting a party, you could even make up a platter with several different flavors of Rugelach, so your guests can sample them all.
Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies Rugelach GiftWhy Rugelach makes a great gift
If you’re someone who likes to give presents which demonstrate care and thought, things which will be appreciate or used and which will really give pleasure to your recipient, Rugelach is the perfect choice.
- Firstly, edible gifts are great because they get used up – they don’t sit around gathering dust or taking up space at the back of a cupboard – they’re eaten and enjoyed.
- Secondly, Rugelach in particular is a good edible gift to give because it looks so impressive and intricate. If you’ve got the time and skill to make a batch yourself that’s brilliant, but if not then Gimmee Jimmy’s is on hand to help you gift the taste of home baking without the hassle. There’s such a variety of flavors, each looking intricate and irresistible, you really can’t go wrong. The bite-size cookies are easy to share, and provide the perfect amount of sweetness for an accompaniment to tea or coffee, an afternoon snack or dessert after a meal.
- Finally there’s the traditional element. Whether you or your recipient is Jewish or not, it’s nice to give something with cultural significance and history to it, whatever the occasion.
Gimmee Jimmy's Cookies Chocolate RugelachBaking Rugelach at home
If you’re planning on baking a batch of Rugelach, you firstly need to decide whether to opt for a traditional recipe with a yeast dough, or choose a more modern and familiar version with cream cheese. For traditionalists, this recipe from Joy of Kosher is straightforward and easy to follow. If you’d prefer a decadent cream cheese dough, the information and instruction provided by The Kitchn is really helpful. Alternatively if you’d like someone else to do all the hard work for you while you sit back and enjoy sampling the delicious results, check out our wonderful Rugelach varieties available to ship today!
