- For the cookie dough:
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 8 ounces unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated orange zest (orange part of the peel)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 7/8 cups all-purpose flour
- For the filling:
- 1 cup SMUCKER'S® Strawberry Jelly or Jam
- 8 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
- 1 cup currants or raisins
- 1 large egg, beaten with
- 1 tablespoon water
- Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add sugar, orange zest, vanilla and salt. Slowly add flour, until well combined. Gather the dough into a ball and divide it into 4 equal portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
- Remove one portion of dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit 10 minutes at room temperature. Melt jam in a small saucepan over medium heat; let cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside. On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll the dough into an 8 x 10-inch rectangle. Spread 1/4 cup of the melted jam over the dough. Top with 2 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar mixture, 1/4 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup currants or raisins.
- Cut the dough rectangle in half. Roll one half in jellyroll fashion and then slice into 10 pieces. Place each piece onto a prepared baking sheet, and brush with beaten egg mixture. Repeat with other dough half.
- Bake cookies for 25 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Repeat process with remaining dough and filling.