Today is Election Day in the United States. As it happens, it is the day when the citizens of this great country will elect a new president to lead them forward into a somewhat scary and uncertain future. It is definitely the most exciting presidential election of my lifetime! By this time tomorrow, history will be made. For the first time in over 225 years, we will either have the first African-American president or the first woman vice-president. I honestly have no idea how it will turn out. I only hope and pray that whoever does win is truly up to the challenge of guiding us along this precarious road we’re on to the light at the end of this dark and winding tunnel.
Today would have also been my father’s 76th birthday. Most of my regular readers know that he passed away almost two years ago. He was also a naturalized citizen of the United States and one of the most patriotic men I ever knew. It has been my experience that naturalized citizens tend to be that way. I think it’s at least partly because they’ve chosen to adopt this country as their own, as opposed to being born into it. They had to work harder to get here!
Immigrants of my father’s era usually had to wait for years before being allowed permanent access to the U.S., and then had to have a sponsor here who would vouch for them. Even after they were given green cards, they had to wait several years and pass various tests before being granted United States citizenship. My father never took his citizenship for granted. He loved this country and the opportunities that it afforded him. He viewed voting as both a privilege and a responsibility, and taught me to look at it the same way.
By now, (if you’re still here), you’re probably wondering what the hell this has to do with cookies! Nothing, actually, except that when I left the house at 7:00 this morning to vote, I took a cup of coffee to go and grabbed a few of my delicious rugelach to help make the waiting easier.
This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe was for a tasty little gem of a cookie called rugelach. Rugelach are rolled cookies made with a cream cheese based dough that is filled with sweet fillings such as chocolate, raisins and nuts, or preserves . Rugelach, which literally means “little twists” in Yiddish, has Jewish Ashkenazic (Eastern European) origins. Originally, rugelach were made with yeast, but American Jews later introduced the cream cheese variety. They are wonderfully tender and flaky morsels that marry well with coffee, sweet wine or anything else you’d like.
I had never made rugelach before, although I have certainly eaten my share of them, and I was excited to attempt my own. The dough was a snap to put together and I must say that it was a beautiful dough to work with.
I decided to make two different batches of the cookies. Being somewhat of a rugelach purist, I decided to stick with the more traditional fillings of sugar, cinnamon, preserves, fruits and nuts. The first batch was filled with cinnamon sugar, peach-apricot preserves, golden raisins and chopped, toasted pecans. My second batch was filled with sugar, black cherry preserves, chopped almonds and some little micro-mini chocolate bits that I had that were about to expire. Both versions were exceptionally good, but I have to say that the apricot-filled ones were my favorites.
Many thanks to Piggy from Piggy’s Cooking Journal for choosing this week’s recipe. If you’ve never made rugelach before, I urge you to give them a try. If I had realized how easy they were to prepare, I’d have done it long ago! You can find the recipe on Piggy’s site, as well as here. Of course, it can also be found in Dorie’s book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.
If you’d like to see what my TWD comrades have done with rugelach, check out the Tuesdays with Dorie blogroll.
Now, what are you waiting for. Grab a few rugelach and go vote!
Filed Under: Baking, Cookies and Brownies, Desserts, Recipes, Tuesdays with Dorie
On November 04, 2008 at 11:10am, CookiePie said...
Beautiful rugelach!! They look really spectacular. You are now officially an honorary member of the tribe
On November 04, 2008 at 11:12am, Judy@nofearentertaining said...
Great looking rugelach!!! I love how nice and flaky they look!
On November 04, 2008 at 11:18am, Zoe Francois said...
Seriously gorgeous! They are just perfect and send me back to my childhood. I must have some NOW!
On November 04, 2008 at 11:21am, Maris said...
Oh wow these look fantastic! Your photos capture the texture so well. My mother loves these, when I was a kid they were a staple-breakfast treat!
I have some recipes for rugelah floating around. I’ve only made it once or twice but her birthday is coming up - I might have to give it a try!
On November 04, 2008 at 11:40am, Sandy Smith said...
Your rugelach are perfect, just perfect. I love your story, too - I am a first-generation American, and I can remember listening to my dad’s citizenship ceremony over the radio when I was in 6th grade. (My mom’s was 2 years earlier.) It’s daunting to know that this is such a significant election - the whole world is watching! Thanks for the good vibes, and the wonderful pastry pics!
On November 04, 2008 at 11:44am, Mara said...
holy #!&%…yours are flaketastic, they look amazing!!! great job and i prefer traditional apricot as well. i was in line at 6:40 to vote this morning, YES to change!
On November 04, 2008 at 11:48am, Cathy said...
Oh my word — yours look divine! The last picture really showcases the flakiness of these! I’m going to vote after lunch — I may have to run by my house to grab a couple of these little yumsters before I go wait in line! I love your post!
On November 04, 2008 at 12:50pm, vibi said...
Only one word comes to mind even if it is a boring one, that’s how bad your rugelach and pictures leave me speechless: WOW.
On November 04, 2008 at 1:19pm, squawmama said...
I love Rugelach and this looks so yummy… Thanks for the beautiful pictures of this delectable dessert… Have a great VOTE day…
(((HUGS)))
Donna
On November 04, 2008 at 1:33pm, Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...
Those look amazing. I love the last photo with the crumbs. Yum.
On November 04, 2008 at 1:55pm, Isabelle said...
tes photos sont splendides…On pourrait presque les rugelachs à travers l’écran ! beau travail
On November 04, 2008 at 2:43pm, The Short (dis)Order Cook said...
Beautiful and I love your fillings. Very creative.
You must have known I have these on the brain. I was in Weis Market in NJ, which has a pretty good bakery for a supermarket and they were handing out samples of their rugelach. I couldn’t remember the last time I had eaten one and I was enjoying it, although I thought the filling could have been better.
Then you show me this.
I either have to do some baking or at least find someone to make me a really good one pronto!
On November 04, 2008 at 2:49pm, Jules Someone said...
Those are picture perfect! I made mine with apricot and pistachio, and I really liked the pairing. Nice work!
On November 04, 2008 at 3:14pm, noble pig said...
My hubbys favorite dessert is rugelach…I really need to make him some. I wonder if I can rival his mothers?
On November 04, 2008 at 3:22pm, Fit Chick said...
Beautiful picturs! Your rugelach look so good and black cherry perserves sound delicious.
On November 04, 2008 at 3:28pm, Engineer Baker said...
Wow, those are amazingly flaky! And yeast? Really? That could be neat to try…
On November 04, 2008 at 3:37pm, Beth said...
they look great! I’m a fellow TWD baker, and I was thinking that it would be nice if we all could chip in and get Laurie some small token/gift for all the work she does. Would you be willing to contribute? If I can get enough people, it would only be about $1 per person. No pressure
Let me know! bethberg12@yahoo.com
On November 04, 2008 at 3:41pm, Katrina said...
Voted. Check.
Made rugelach. Check.
Dang they’re good! I knew your photos would be awesome and they ARE! Yours looks SO good. I did almost the same combos as you and voted the apricot/cinny/sugar/nut ones the best. Will have to play around with chocolates and such another time, but your photos of their crispness and flakiness and yumminess shine through!
On November 04, 2008 at 3:49pm, Rachel said...
Oh WOW your photos are amazing! Looks like they turned out perfectly!
On November 04, 2008 at 4:26pm, Maria said...
Yours turned out great. I love the last photo..you can really see how flaky and delicious they are!
On November 04, 2008 at 4:35pm, Karen said...
Yours are the best I’ve seen yet today… they look yummy!
On November 04, 2008 at 5:11pm, Maryann said...
They look delicious and flaky
On November 04, 2008 at 6:18pm, Tanya said...
Absolutely beautiful photos! The rugelach looks tender and flaky.
What a lovely story about your father. He seemed to really love this country. I’m so sorry he couldn’t be here to witness such a historical election.
On November 04, 2008 at 6:42pm, slush said...
Your photos are gorgeous as always. So glad the cookies made your voting experience a little bit sweeter. I agree, I am a rugelach purist too and love the apricot versions best.
On November 04, 2008 at 8:27pm, Emily Rose said...
your rugelach turned out beautifully! I had never made rugelach before either- I was so surprised at how well the supple dough could be folded into the little twists without tearing!
On November 04, 2008 at 8:29pm, Darius T. Williams said...
Looks great! I saw Ina Garten make these once…I’m so intrigued by them…but because I’m not a baker I’ll never find out - lol.
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
On November 04, 2008 at 8:36pm, Linda said...
Man, those rugelach photos are mouthwatering!!! Yum!!!!
On November 04, 2008 at 8:46pm, Patsyk said...
As always, my mouth is watering! Your rugelach turned out so nice… I really need to give it a try sometime, I need to get over my fear of rolling out dough!
On November 04, 2008 at 9:09pm, Manggy said...
I certainly hope for a bright future for your country too
Sooo nervous!
Anyway, those super-close up pics are killing me. Ya hear that? KEEELEENG me. They are just awesome!
On November 04, 2008 at 9:40pm, Em said...
Your rugelach looks absolutely perfect
On November 04, 2008 at 10:48pm, FFichiban said...
Mmmm photos are great and I the black cherry one hits the spot 😀 Yuumm hunnggrryy…
On November 04, 2008 at 11:49pm, Aggie said...
Wow, your rugelech looks unbelievably delicious. Your pictures are fantastic! Great post!
I think this may be my first time here and I’m loving your blog! : )
On November 05, 2008 at 1:21am, Cristine said...
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!
On November 05, 2008 at 2:28am, mikky said...
awesome pictures!!! too bad i just can only stare…
On November 05, 2008 at 6:03am, Núria said...
Hope you are happy with your brand new President Susan :D. I believe he is a honest man. I do hope he will be good for your country.
Your rugelach makes me want to grab some now… I’m drooling… how beautiful they look just awesome!!!!
On November 05, 2008 at 8:34am, Lisa magicsprinkles said...
I knew yours would be stunning even before I peeked in here. Visually and mouthwateringly delectable! Well done!
On November 05, 2008 at 8:39am, Snooky doodle said...
wow what a nice and delicious view I m seeing. These look so so good.
On November 05, 2008 at 10:21am, Debbie said...
They look delicious. I know what you mean about the process of becoming a citizen. My grandparents were from Italy and become very proud Americans. They loved this country very much.
On November 05, 2008 at 10:44am, kim said...
gorgeous rugelach!! your fillings both sound & look delicious
glad you enjoyed them so much.
On November 05, 2008 at 11:21am, Grace said...
both versions look and sound glorious. some people say the third time’s a charm, but it only took you one attempt to master rugelach. awesome.
On November 05, 2008 at 2:47pm, Jennifer said...
These look delicious…I have been slack and haven’t made mine yet…I probably will this evening….
On November 05, 2008 at 3:04pm, Rhiani said...
Great pictures - your rugelach is literally picture perfect!
On November 05, 2008 at 3:21pm, Mike of Mike's Table said...
I absolutely love rugelach. I wish I had some waiting for me when I get home tonight because now I have such a craving
On November 05, 2008 at 3:25pm, Proud Italian Cook said...
Look how flaky these are! I would say you got an A+ on your very first try! I wish I had one with coffee right now!
On November 05, 2008 at 3:37pm, Peppercorn Press said...
Flakey and sweet - one of my favorite combinations. These look divine and present beautifully. I’m actually thinking of how I can fill these with something savory/sweet for more of an appetizer type dish. These would look great on a holiday platter.
On November 05, 2008 at 8:36pm, Nicole said...
This looks crispy and yet moist. I think that is really hard to achieve. Sooo yummy!
On November 06, 2008 at 9:31am, Marthe said...
I love the maple leaf plate!! You rugelach look perfect!!
On November 06, 2008 at 10:49am, Lisa said...
i think i may die… they look heavenly!
On November 06, 2008 at 2:42pm, Amanda said...
Those photos are absolutely fantastic, truly. The food looks delish-but those pics are so crisp and clear. I can almost smell the delicious aroma!
On November 06, 2008 at 10:13pm, Simply...Gluten-free said...
Your cookies are so flaky. I don’t often miss wheat but golly, you’re killing me!
On November 07, 2008 at 10:11am, Brooke & Freeland said...
Hey! I started a food blog not too long ago (just to keep my recipes together and to join TWD) anyway.. I joined foodbuzz too and was looking for other TWD bloggers and saw your name pop up!
AND - (i promise this is going somewhere) I recognized your name from also posting on Obsessive Food Addict’s blog (or Life, Liberty and the Pursuit for Ho’s Ho’s .. whichever you prefer to call it)!
So just wanted to say hi. Your photos are beautiful. Love your blog. Brooke
On November 07, 2008 at 10:36am, alexandra's kitchen said...
Great story. I think naturalized citizens have a greater appreciation for freedom and for what this great country has to offer. it’s so easy to take for granted being able to live the way we do here in the United States.
YOur rugelach are stunning. I would love to have a batch of these to savor with my morning coffee.
On November 07, 2008 at 1:47pm, Cookie baker Lynn said...
Those look beautiful and delicious. A perfect on the go food for voting.
I think people who become citizens are better citizens than those born here who take their freedoms for granted. Also, most of them never learn all the material that’s on the citizenship test.
On November 07, 2008 at 1:52pm, Cynthia said...
There is so much love in your voice when you write about your dad. And it makes me wish I could have met him.
On November 07, 2008 at 4:00pm, Mansi said...
that looks better than Dorie’s! I love the crust:) as usual, great pics Susan!:)
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On November 08, 2008 at 9:23pm, Tracy said...
Your rugelach look great! Nice photos!
On November 10, 2008 at 11:04am, Lo said...
These look fantastic.
My family has a version of rugelach cookies that we make each Christmas — filled simply with sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. These look like a delicious variation!