Rugelach - Crescent Cookies

These adorable little morsels of sweet goodness (which mean crescent in Yiddish) are all thanks to Jewish mummas. Traditionally these are not vegan, but I have made them so and was pleased with the result. Perfect for a bite sized sugar fix with a cup of tea, although I believe the Americans would consider this sacrilege if it were not served with coffee. Anyhoo, whatever the beverage I'm sure you'll love making them!

Ingredients

Dough
2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
250g vegan margarine (I used nuttelex)
250g vegan cream cheese ( I used tofutti)

Filling
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup hazelnut meal
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Method
In a mixing bowl cream margarine and cream cheese together.
Add lemon juice, sugar, and salt.
Add flour and rub through margarine mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Press together to form the dough. ( Pulsing in a food processor makes this a quick job)
Wrap in plastic and put in fridge for about half an hour.
Preheat oven to 150C
In another bowl combine filling ingredients.
Divide dough into four balls.
On greaseproof paper, press ball down and roll out until approx 3mm thick

Sprinkle filling all over rolled dough and press lightly
Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry into wedges as shown ( I found it easiest to cut in strokes straight across)

Gently peel a wedge from the greaseproof.
Starting at the widest edge, roll towards the point to crease a crescent. Place cookie seam side down on a lined baking tray. Repeat with remaining dough until tray is full.

Bake in oven for approximately 20 -25 minutes .