Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (2024)

By Trang Doan - (updated ) - This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

This Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe is packed with delicious Fall flavors thanks to the fig jam and cinnamon walnut rugelach filling. They are the perfect addition to your holiday cookies list this season.
Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (1)Making rugelach always reminds me of the holiday season because every year my holiday cookies spread include at least one rugelach recipe. I’ve made a few before on the blog with different type of rugelach filing. These cinnamon rugelach and almond rugelach are definitely holiday cookies worthy, as are these new Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach!

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (2)

What is Rugelach pastry?

Rugelach are light and flaky pastries, very popular among American and European Jews. They are typically made in the shape of a crescent by rolling a triangular piece of dough around a rugelach filling. Their bite size crescent shape can be mistaken for crescent rolls or mini croissants, but they are more like cookies.

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (3)

How to make Rugelach?

My go-to rugelach recipe is made with a simple butter and cream cheese dough. The cream cheese version is said to be an American innovation, while a version with yeast leavened and sour cream dough is said to be much older. The yeast leavened dough is then laminated with butter to be more like a croissant dough; this is much more complex. Traditional rugelach filling can include raisins, walnut, cinnamon, marzipan or almond paste, chocolate, fruit preserves, etc. But you’re only limited by your own imagination.

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (4)For these particular Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach, I made them with the simple butter and cream cheese dough that can be whipped up easily in the stand mixer or food processor. I used store bought fig jam for the rugelach filling along with a mixture of ground walnut and cinnamon sugar. The delicious flavors of this rugelach filling make these Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach the perfect holiday cookies that everyone will love!

More Rugelach Recipes

  • Cinnamon Roll Rugelach
  • Tropical Rugelach
  • Marzipan Filled Rugelach

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (5)If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it and don’t forget to tag me @wildwildwhisk on Instagram. I’d love to see what’s cooking up in your kitchen. Cheers!

📖 Recipe card

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (6)

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach

This Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe is packed with delicious Fall flavors thanks to the fig jam and cinnamon walnut rugelach filling. They are the perfect addition to your holiday cookies list this season.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Eastern European

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 48 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 pieces

Author: Trang

Ingredients

For the rugelach dough

  • 4 ounce cream cheese – room temperature
  • 4 ounce unsalted butter – room temperature
  • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Extra flour for rolling

For the rugelach filling

  • 4 tablespoon fig jam
  • ½ cup walnut - pulverized
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Egg wash & topping

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  • Cream the soften butter and cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl with the paddle attachment on medium high speed until fluffy. Add sugar, salt and vanilla extract and beat on medium to combine.

  • Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour, mix until just combined.

  • Scrape the dough out onto a well-floured board, and shape into a disk. Divide into two equal portions, shape each into a ball then flatten into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

  • Pulverize the walnut in a food processor or blender, combine it with brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, whisk to distribute evenly.

  • Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator and roll out into a 9” circle. Spread 2 tablespoons fig jam over the dough circle, leaving about ¼” from the edge clean. Sprinkle half of the nut filling over the jam and lightly press it down into the dough.

  • Cut the circle into 12 triangles using a pizza cutter. First cut the circle into quarters, then cut each quarter into thirds. Roll the larger end of each triangle in to make a crescent shape cookie, try to keep the nut filling from falling out. Place cookies on a parchment line baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining disk of dough.

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Beat one egg with a tablespoon of cream or milk to make egg wash. Combine 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon in a separate bowl for the topping. Brush egg wash all over the cookies, and sprinkle cinnamon sugar generously over the top.

  • Bake for 18 minutes, until cookies are slightly brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?If you made this recipe and loved it, please leave a comment and give us a 5 STAR review. Mention @WildWildWhisk or tag #WildWildWhisk on Instagram.

Shop The Recipe Tools

Some ofthelinks above are affiliate links, which pay me a smallcommission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting my blog.

« How to Make Basic Cream Scones

Macadamia Coconut Croissant {tropical croissant filling} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (7)Irina

    Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (8)
    These were fantastic! Not my mother’s recipe for Romanian cornulete but they taste just as good, dare I say even better! I had to cook mine a good 6-8 min more than the recipe to get them to start to brown.

    Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (9)Trang Doan

      Thanks for making these Irina! I’m so glad you like them and wow what a compliment to be compared to your mother’s recipe 🙂

      Reply

  2. Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (10)Sheryl Kelly

    Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (11)
    I made the recipe as directed and they were delicious! I’ll make these again.

    Reply

  3. Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (13)Kristin

    Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (14)
    Delicious and easy recipe – used pear & fig preserves of my own making which worked just fine. Was a bit concerned that I’d worked the dough excessively but it’s resilient and baked up still tender. My Jewish partner, etc. approved of them so that means I’ll bake them again. Thanks for the great recipe, Trang ~

    Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (15)Trang Doan

      Thanks Kristin! So happy to hear they were approved by your partner!

      Reply

  4. Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (16)Heather

    Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (17)
    I made these with my homemade fig jam. They were great. I crushed my walnuts with a rolling pin, and it worked just fine. I do recommend kneading the dough. I kneaded one half and did the other without kneading. The kneaded disc was much easier to roll out and the slices were much easier to roll up into crescents.
    Thank you for sharing your recipe. I’m definitely going to make it again.

    Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (18)Trang

      Thanks for the tips Heather and for taking the time to leave a comment! And I’m glad you enjoy them 🙂 I’ll be sure to try kneading them more next time too.

      Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (19)Judy

      Are we rolling the triangles of dough with the filling on top? Won’t this disturb the filling?

      Reply

      • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (20)Trang Doan

        Yes are you and yes it will, do your best to press the filling into the dough. Some will fall out but I’m usually able to keep almost all of the filling inside the dough.

        Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (21)Sue I

      Did you knead the dough before refrigerating it or just before rolling it out?
      Thanks.

      Reply

      • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (22)Trang Doan

        I would knead before refrigerating, after refrigeration, the dough should be pretty firm and you won’t be able to knead it. But you could just let your mixer go a little bit longer after the dough comes together instead of kneading by hand.

        Reply

        • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (23)Sue I

          Thank you they came out great!

          Reply

          • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (24)Trang Doan

            Awesome!

          • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (25)Sherylanne

            Do these freeze well?
            They turned out amazing!
            Used Nutella and Walnut 😊

          • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (26)Trang Doan

            Yes, you can freeze them up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked cookies if you want and pop them in the oven whenever you wish.

  5. Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (27)Natalie

    Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (28)
    These rugelach look so delicious! I love the combination of figs and walnuts!

    Reply

    • Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (29)Trang

      Thanks Natalie!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Fig Jam and Walnut Rugelach Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you put fig jam on? ›

Within an hour, you've got a fig jam that tops any store-bought version. The best part is its versatility. Think bread toppings, cheese, and charcuterie pairings, sandwich spreads (it's amazing on grilled cheese), or just a thoughtful jarred gift.

How do you keep rugelach fresh? ›

However, If you want them to last longer, putting them in a plastic bag in the fridge will keep them fresh for from 8 to 10 days. Or, place them in the freezer in a sealed container and they will freeze really well for up to 8 months.

How do you shape rugelach? ›

When shaping your rugelach, take the fat end of the triangle and roll tightly toward the pointed end to form a crescent shape. 6. As you work with the dough, the heat from your hands might cause it to get too warm and make it unmanageable.

Does rugelach contain nuts? ›

Delicious to eat and fun to make, rugelach (pronounced rug-a-lah) are miniature crescent-rolled pastries posing as cookies. They're made by rolling a triangle of dough around a sweet filling of fruit, nuts, chocolate or pretty much anything your heart desires.

What cheese goes best with fig jam? ›

Fig jam and soft cheeses

Fig jam and its spicy taste can be paired with goat's fresh cheeses, such as Camembert and Brie.

Which cheese goes with figs? ›

Served with cheese

Plump, fresh figs pair well with a wide variety of cheeses, from crumbly, sharp stilton to creamy brie.

Should you refrigerate rugelach? ›

Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftover rugelach in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. Freeze for longer storage.

How long does homemade rugelach last? ›

Hi- It will stay fresh for a week or so at room temperature. If frozen, which is what I do when I bring it back to the states, it can stay fresh for months.

When should I eat rugelach? ›

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.

What does rugelach mean in Yiddish? ›

Yiddish for “little twists” or “rolled things,” rugelach have become a popular dessert in America, enjoyed by Jews and non-Jews alike. They descend from an Eastern European pastry known as kipfel, which is a croissant-like cookie made with flour, butter, sour cream, sugar, and yeast.

What is a rugelach in English? ›

noun,plural rug·e·lach. Jewish Cooking. a bite-size pastry made by rolling a triangle of dough around a filling of jam, nuts, raisins, etc.

What is a fun fact about rugelach? ›

These croissant-shaped treats are believed to have originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and are also popular in Israel as well as the Jewish diaspora. They make the perfect treat for Rosh Hashanah because we eat sweets in the hopes of a sweet new year.

What country is rugelach from? ›

Rugelach (/ˈruːɡələx/ ROO-gəl-əkh; Yiddish: ראגעלעך, or Yiddish: רוגעלעך, romanized: rugelekh and Hebrew: רוגלך rōgalaḵ) is a filled baked confection originating in the Jewish communities of Poland.

Why is rugelach important? ›

Rugelach's history can be traced back to medieval times in Eastern Europe, specifically within Ashkenazi Jewish communities. Rugelach is a type of pastry that originated in the Jewish communities of Poland. It is popular in Israel and among Jews around the world.

How do you use fig jam on a charcuterie board? ›

Jams or preserves: Include 1 or 2 jams or preserves for some added flavor and sweetness to balance out the dry and salty meat and cheese. Fig spread goes marvelously with many cheeses and meats, so I always like to include it. I also like to include apricot jam, but raspberry or grape jam works, too.

What is the best way to serve figs? ›

They have an incredibly soft, jammy texture and an ultra-sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Not only that, but there's no one set way for how to eat figs. Enjoy them raw, on a grilled pizza with a honey drizzle or stuff them with nuts and cheese. No matter how you enjoy them, you'll want to do it fast.

What goes with fig jam on charcuterie? ›

Cheeses: hard, soft, and semi-firm. Breads: whole baguettes, toasted crostini, or a variety of crackers. Sweet and sour items: pickled items, jams like our Fig Jam recipe here, fruits and veggies. Condiments: honey, mustard, jams like our Fig Jam recipe here, jellies.

Does fig jam need to be refrigerated after opening? ›

Here's why: Jams and jellies have high sugar and acid levels, which protect against spoilage. But there are still certain microorganisms, called osmophiles, that are resistant to these conditions and can cause spoilage over time, he explains. So, jam and jelly will deteriorate quicker when stored outside the fridge.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5671

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.