In a couple of weeks, Jews are going to be celebrating their new year (Rosh Hashana) and atoning for their sins (Yom Kippur) during their two most important holidays of the year, collectively known as the High Holy Days. While days (for observant folks) are spent reflecting, atoning, and making personal commitments to do better next year, food is an important and traditional consideration.
As in holidays for all folks across all religions, families have their own ways of observing holidays through food. And, because I'm a planner, and prefer to spend my time hanging out with those I share meals over time cooking and baking at the last minute, I am getting started on my baking now. I have already shared on my website the recipes for ruggelach, challah (made round for these holidays), and brisket, so you have what you need to get started now (all three freeze amazingly well).
But today, as I started my ruggelach baking, I realized I have not shared my latest ruggelach flavor (I add new ones each year): MAPLE! (I'm sure you would hate not to have it, lol!)
So, should you want to make the maple ruggelach... you'll of course need to have on-hand some maple products:
The darkest grade PURE maple syrup you can find -- do not use fine or medium for this recipe as the flavor is too subtle (I like those from VT, but that's because I live here);
maple sprinkles (available here from the store if you can't get to a maple sugar shack/ store); and
maple sugar (available here if you can't find it locally).
Once you have these products, just follow the recipe until it's time to add the spreads/ fillings. Spread a layer of syrup (instead of jam) on the dough disk, then sprinkle liberally with maple sprinkles (pushing them down gently into the syrup/ dough). The maple sugar gets added on after the egg wash, just before baking.
Here's the link to my original post about ruggelach (with a link to the recipe). If you haven't made it before, I suggest reading this post first.
Please know that while these cookies are fairly traditional for the Jewish holidays, virtually everyone loves them, so give it a try!
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