I am Filipina American and I married a Jew. My husband Miki and I have committed to creating a Jewish household that feels culturally balanced. But I quickly learned that it’s not easy. Identity is a long and winding, self-guided journey. Born in LA and growing up in Jersey with immigrant parents, the pursuit of my identity was very passive. I didn’t feel like I needed to speak the language nor know how to cook my mom’s food. As an adult, I now feel the responsibility to honor my culture so that it will not get lost with me and in the next generation with our children. I know the definition of what it means to be Filipina-American-Jewish is mine and my family’s to hold, discover, and explore. What better way to express the love for our combined culture than through food?
Ube has always been the cornerstone of my favorite Filipinx desserts — from ube ice cream to ube cake rolls. You can taste subtle sweet hints of vanilla and a touch of nuttiness. I’ve always enjoyed flakey, buttery rugelach —especially all of the filling variations — and I’m happy to add my own variation to the mix. Here’s my take on rugelach.
Ube Coconut Rugelach
I’ve always enjoyed flakey, buttery rugelach —especially all of the filling variations — and I’m happy to add my own variation to the mix.
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 rugelach
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting your work surface
- 1 stick (8 Tbsp) cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 4 oz cold cream cheese, cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp ube extract
- zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water
- granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Make the dough: Place the flour, butter, cream cheese, ube extract and lemon zest in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture releases from the sides and forms a ball.
- Divide dough in half and flatten into discs. Wrap each half in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Make the filling: In a small saucepan on medium heat, bring the coconut milk and brown sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking vigorously, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in coconut. Let cool completely (you can pop it in the fridge to speed up the process).
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Remove one dough disc from the fridge and turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a circle about ⅓” thick. Spread half the cooled filling evenly over the circle.
- With a pizza cutter or knife, cut into 8 slices as if you are cutting a pizza. Starting from the widest base of each triangle, roll dough to form a crescent and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. Brush the tops with some of the egg wash and sprinkle with some of the granulated sugar.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes + 1 hour refrigeration time
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
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Great recipe, but when you 2x or 3x it, it mistakenly leaves the flour measurement at 1.5 cups.
Where can I get Ube in Boynton Beach, Florida, Whole Foods?
Hi Lee. You can get ube extract online or in markets that specialize in specialty products.
Where to get Ube extract and what to use for substitute ie a yam?
Hi! The best substitute for a yam is a sweet potato. You can get ube extract online or in markets that specialize in specialty products.
How can I replace the extract with ube spread?