Walnut and Dried Cherry Rugelach

• Dough
• all-purpose flour↗2 cups
• unsalted butter or 1/2 lb margarine, cut into small pieces,at room temperature (2 sticks or 16 Tbsp)↗1⁄2 lb
• whole milk cottage cheese↗1⁄2 lb
• salt↗1 pinch
• Filling
• cherry jam, whisked until smooth↗1⁄2 cup
• chopped walnuts1⁄2 cup
• chopped pitted dried cherries1⁄2 cup
• Topping
• sugar↗2 tablespoons
• ground cinnamon↗1 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Combine dough ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth dough forms.

2. 2

   Divide dough into 4 pieces, forming each piece into a 5-inch disk.

3. 3

   Wrap each disk in plastic and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.

4. 4

   Preheat overn to 375°F.

5. 5

   On lightly floured surface, roll out piece of dough into an 8-inch circle, 1/8-inch thick.

6. 6

   Spread 2 Tbsp of jam onto each circle.

7. 7

   Sprinkle each circle with 1/4 of walnuts and 1/4 of cherries.

8. 8

   Cut each circle into 8 wedges using a sharp knife or pastry wheel.

9. 9

   Starting with the outside edge, roll each wedge, enclosing the filling.

10. 10

    Place point side down onto greased cookie sheet.

11. 11

    Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle onto each pastry.

12. 12

    Bake until golden brown, approximately 35 minutes.

13. 13

    Let pastries rest approximately 10 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.