Light & Flaky Cinnamon Rugelach - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Dough
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces salted butter, at room temperature (2 sticks)
2 cups all-purpose flour
confectioners' sugar
Filling
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (about 2 ounces)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (about 2 ounces) (optional)

Preparation

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, beat the cream cheese and butter until well combined and light and fluffy. (The mixture should feather out from the edge of the bowl.) Add the flour and turn your mixer on and off only until the flour has been incorporated. Transfer the dough to a work surface and lightly toss it on a smooth surface until it forms a compact mass.
Divide the mixture into 8 portions, form each into a cylinder and refrigerate until dough is cold and firm, at least 1 hour. This is important; without chilling, the dough is difficult to handle.
While the dough is chilling, combine the sugar, cinnamon, raisins and walnuts in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Heavily dust a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Roll out each portion of the dough into a 6-by-9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with some of the sugar-nut mixture. Starting at one of the long sides, tightly roll the dough into a log. Pinch the seam together and tuck the ends underneath the roll.
Cut the filled log into 8 or 9 pieces and place, seam side down, on an ungreased baking sheet or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat with the remaining logs of dough. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Cool completely. May be frozen.