Chocolate Rugelach

The word rugelach comes from the Yiddish and translates to “little twists,” which perfectly describes this irresistible pastry which has a strong historical connection with the Ashkenazi Jews and the diaspora.

Originally a simple dough filled with cream cheese or sour cream—cheap ingredients familiar to those who kept livestock—it has been added to over the years as nuts, spices, jam, seeds, and fruit became more readily available. Said to have been inspired by kipfel,