Parve Rugelach

Rugelach is the most delicious pastry cookie recipe you'll ever make. It's the perfect dessert to break the fast of Yom Kippur. The flaky pastry melts in your mouth, and the dark chocolate filling oozes out - it's an incredibly tasty experience. This simple recipe is Parve meaning non-dairy and it shows you each step - and the different fillings you can use.

What is rugelach?

Rugelach is a traditional Jewish pastry from Eastern Europe. It’s made with a rich dough that’s rolled into thin layers, filled with various sweet fillings, and then formed into crescent shapes. It’s usually served as an accompaniment to coffee or tea for special occasions like Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath).

In Israel, we make it out of yeast dough, and the filling is made with store-bought or homemade chocolate spread. The filled dough is rolled, cut into triangles, and rolled to a shape that resembles a croissant.

Here’s the best part: the cookie inside is soft and full of chocolate. And I mean, it’s chocolate, so everyone is a fan!

Is your mouth watering yet? I bet it will, especially as you anticipate your first bite after fasting for 25 hours for Yom Kippur!

Types of rugelach filling

One of the best things about rugelach is that you can customize the filling in a bunch of different ways. Whether you're in the mood for something fruity or some rich chocolate, there is a filling you can use.

Just look at some of the most popular ideas below:

Pumpkin

Fill the pastry with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Then, top them with cream cheese glaze. It's the perfect fall dessert. (Note that this makes the rugelach dairy and not parve).

Chocolate Pecan

This filling is a classic combination of fine chopped pecans, chocolate chips, and brown sugar. It reminds me of pecan pie in a fun way.

Raspberry

For a fruity twist, fill the pastry with some raspberry jam. Drizzle some vanilla glaze on top to contrast the sweet and tart flavors of the raspberry filling.

Dates

Dates are Mediterranean fruit that fit in perfectly with rugelach pastry. Fill the pastries with dates, spicy ginger, orange juice, and sugar. For a bit more texture, add some chopped walnuts!

Pistachio Cranberry Rugelach

Cranberries are a holiday fruit, so make this recipe if you're going to serve the dessert at a holiday party. The pistachios add a salty and crunchy twist that's irresistible.

Chocolate

Finally, this is my all-time favorite way to make this dessert! Mix some cocoa powder, sugar, and vegetable oil together and spread it on the pastry before you roll it up. As it bakes, the chocolate filling melts and oozes out of the flaky pastry pieces.

FAQs

Here are some questions people often ask about making rugelach. Read through them and see if your question is below too.

What's the difference between schnecken and rugelach?

The filling is what sets these two filled pastries apart from each other. Schnecken is filled with cinnamon sugar and raisins. Rugelach can be filled with different types of jam or chocolate.

What is the difference between rugelach and babka?

Babka is another popular dessert that people often confuse with rugelach. Babka is a yeast bread that is rolled with chocolate filling. Babaka usually made in a loaf pan as one cake. Cooks roll rugelach like croissants, creating a more individual dessert. The main differences between the two of them are their shape and the type of dough they use.

What does rugelach mean in Yiddish?

Rugelach means rugel, which is translated as "royal." This is a dessert that is often saved for special occasions.

What does parve mean?

I made these rugelach parve - that's another way of saying it is dairy-free.

Often made with sour cream or cream cheese, rugelach can also be prepared dairy-free. Making this sweet dessert perfect for any fun weekend or occasion where you want to serve some chocolatey goodness!

How do you make rugelach last longer?

To keep the pastry fresh for longer and to add more sweetness, brush it with sugar syrup (also known as simple syrup), which is just made out of sugar and water. This will help the rugelach keep its shape and texture for a few days.

Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. You can refrigerate rugelach for up to one week. 

If you want to save the parve rugelach for a later date, you can freeze it as well. Just wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place them all together in an airtight container and store it in the freezer. They should last up to three months this way!

Other bread and pastry recipes to try:

Make this parve rugelach recipe today!

Enjoy a tasty parve rugelach pastry filled with chocolate, nuts, and other goodies. Mix the dough, roll it out, add your favorite filling ingredients, and then bake. It's that simple!

Whether you choose to make rugelach for an upcoming party or just want to treat yourself on a weekday afternoon, this delicious recipe will make your day.