Pear Crescent Cookies
Taste of Home
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"I first made these crescent-shaped cream cheese cookies—traditionally called 'rugalach'—for my Jewish son-in-law," says Carolyn Hayes of Marion, Illinois. "We all loved their wonderful texture. The diced pears rolled up inside are unexpected, delightful surprise."
SERVINGS: 24
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling Bake: 20 min.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup diced peeled pears
- 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese. Gradually add flour and salt. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
Divide the dough into fourths. On a floured surface; roll out each portion into a 12-in. circle. Cut into 12 wedges. Place about 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon-sugar at the wide end of each wedge. Top with 1/2 teaspoon each pears and walnuts. Roll up, beginning at wide end. Place pointed side down 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; curve ends to form a crescent.
Bake at 375° for 16-19 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately remove to wire racks. Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cooled cookies. Yield: 4 dozen.