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I was really looking forward to this week’s Tuesdays With Dorie because I really enjoy rugelach. I made my very first batch of it during TWD 1.0, and they turned out to be a lot of fun to make.

These, however…

This week’s hosts were Margaret of The Urban Hiker, and Jessica of My Baking Heart.

It started out innocently enough. The dough was as easy as could be to make, though I was a little concerned about how much butter and cream cheese needed to be used! I could only imagine it would be worth it, though.

I refrigerated the dough overnight and was really excited to get the whole thing going the next afternoon. I can never seem to get perfectly shaped rectangles or even circles when I’m working with dough, but I coaxed it the best I could.

I couldn’t find apricot lekvar at the store so I got apricot preserves instead — so yummy.

I used one cup of raisins and one cup of chopped dried cherries. I almost wish I’d just stuck to raisins because I felt there was a lot of waste once things got going, and those cherries were delicious.

For the life of me I could not get these things to roll properly. They were long enough but the amount of filling was a bit too much, I think. They just would not seal. Even after they sat in the fridge for most of the afternoon and evening, I couldn’t get them closed any more than what you see in the picture.

Which, like I mentioned, made for a lot of waste when it came time to cut them. I was really disappointed with how much of the filling was pulled right out of the roll (even with the sawing motion of a serrated knife, as instructed), and since the logs are brushed in an egg wash, I didn’t feel comfortable picking at the fruit.

More waste. This bowl was where I put the rolls after they were cut. It’s a sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and chopped walnut mix that sticks to the outside of each roll. There was a TON left over (at least a cup and a half) and I couldn’t do anything with it but toss it, because of the raw egg wash (as you can see, even more fruit fell out).

I also didn’t get anywhere near 48 rolls. Maybe 24?

Then, to add insult to injury, this is what I pulled out of the oven.

A literal hot mess.

Each roll just kind of collapsed and gave up (much like how I was feeling at this point). They really were that flat.

Knowing that not everything can be a stunner, Mike and I each grabbed a fork and gave it a try right off the parchment paper.

And it was absolutely delicious.

So, as frustrating as the last half was, and as much as they did not look like they were supposed to:

~ The house smelled absolutely amazing. Like, everyone-bugging-me-for-half-an-hour amazing.

~ They really are delicious.

~ We reheated them this morning for breakfast and nearly wiped out the whole batch.

I’m glad I gave it a try, and though I don’t think I’ll ever attempt them again, the family is sure happy I did this time!

Posted in Baking, Breakfast, Desserts, Tuesdays With Dorie

Tags:apricot preserves.Baking.cream cheese.dessert.dried cherries.pastry.raisins.rugelach.Tuesdays With Dorie