Orange-Scented Honey and Walnut Rugelach

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Buttery rugelach pastries filled with a honey, toasted walnut, and orange zest mixture, offering a fragrant and sweet Hanukkah dessert. This Middle Eastern-inspired Hanukkah recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs cream cheese, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 12 Middle Eastern cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, beat together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 8 tbsp softened unsalted butter until creamy and smooth.
  2. Step 2: Gradually add 2 cups all-purpose flour and mix until a dough forms. Divide dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1 cup toasted and chopped walnuts, 2 tsp finely grated orange zest, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll one dough disc on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Cut into 12 wedges.
  5. Step 5: Spoon 1 tbsp of the honey-walnut filling onto the wide end of each wedge, spreading evenly. Roll each wedge from the wide end to the tip, forming crescent shapes.
  6. Step 6: Place rugelach on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush each with 1 large beaten egg, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup granulated sugar.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before serving.

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