Apricot Rugelach

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and cream cheese. Beat in 4 tablespoons of sugar and vanilla. Combine the flour and salt; stir until well blended. Turn out dough onto a piece of cling film and press together to form a ball. Divide the ball into 4 portions, wrap each one in cling film and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas 4. In a small bowl, toss together the dark brown soft sugar, 6 tablespoons caster sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and the chopped dried apricots. Set aside.

Roll out each portion of dough into a circle about 3mm thick. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the apricot jam over each circle, then sprinkle each one with some of the dried apricot mixture. Using a knife, cut each circle into 12 wedges like a pizza. Starting at the wide end, roll each piece individually up towards the point. Bend the ends around to form a crescent. If dough is sticky, return it to the refrigerator to chill. Place rugelach point sides down, 5cm apart into a greased baking tray. Brush with milk then sprinkle with a mixture of the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar.

Bake for 16 to 18 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden. Rotate the baking tray halfway through to ensure even baking. Remove from baking tray to cool on wire racks.