Pumpkin Rugelach & Christmas Morning Tablescape
What does Christmas morning look like at your house? Perhaps a bit of chaos; presents are opened wrapping paper is everywhere, now what…everyone is hungry.
Do you have time to make a big breakfast and then turn around and cook Christmas dinner? The next thing you know the day is gone and you haven’t had a chance to enjoy the family, because all you have done is pick up wrapping paper, cook, and wash dishes.
We have a Christmas morning tablescape to inspiration you, a pumpkin rugelach recipe and menu to delight you and make your Christmas morning a breeze. Trick number one…everything is prepared ahead of time leaving you free time to enjoy the family, fun and laughter. Our Christmas morning menu includes pumpkin rugelach, banana nut muffins, fruit salad, ham and hot chocolate. All of which can be prepared ahead of time.
Set your Christmas morning tablescape a day or two ahead of time. We used Spiro from our Dinner4Two by Kitchen Charm collection. This layered look is easy to achieve with the snowflake placemat from Pier1 and beautiful glass charger. Combine a pretty red napkin, red and white polka dot small plate, along with our reindeer and you have created a delicious looking table for your Christmas morning festivities.
Our pumpkin rugelach is just the right compliment of sweet for breakfast.You can get creative with this recipe and make any type of filling that sounds delicious to you. Just Google rugelach and you’ll see quite a few with the traditional walnut mixture or citrus jam, they all sound so delicious!
We just can’t deny there is something so good about delicious dough with yummy filling. We love any dough that is made with cream cheese. It’s got such a good creamy texture and full flavor. We know you are going to love it!
Ingredients for the Dough
- 8 Ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 8 Ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 3 Large egg yolks
- 1 Teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of coarse salt
- 2 1/3 Cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough
For the Filling
- 1/2 Cup pumpkin
- 1/2 Cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 Teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 Brown sugar
- Cinnamon Sugar
Directions for Making the Dough
Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add the sugar and mix until fluffy. Add egg yolks and mix until combined. Add the vanilla, salt flour, mix until all ingredients are incorporated and you have sticky dough.
The dough will be really sticky at this point and needs to be refrigerated for 1 hour. Cut the dough into quarters; wrap each quarter ball in plastic wrap. Leave each ball in the fridge until you are ready to work with it. You don’t have to use all the dough at the same time. This dough also freezes well.
Directions for Making the Filling
Mix your filling while your dough is chilling. Combine together all the ingredients for the filling. Make sure your pecans are chopped small so they disperse evenly throughout the dough.
To Assemble the Rugelach
Pull out one package of the dough and put on a generously floured work surface. Roll dough out into a 9 inch circle, about ¼ inches thick. With a spatula spread the filling onto the dough. Cut your circle into triangles like pizza slices, about 10-12 of them.
Roll each triangle from the widest part to the skinny party (like you would a crescent roll). Sprinkle each roll with cinnamon sugar.
Lay each piece on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes. They will be slightly golden. Let cool for a few minutes and then Enjoy!
Life is Delicious