Taking place Monday, April 29, National Rugelach Day celebrates the diversity of this crisp cookie with a buttery soft, flakey center that is made of rolled pastry with flour, butter, cream cheese, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, spices and fruit or chocolate that dates back centuries. Rugelach is widely known as a Polish and Jewish cookie predating the year 1650, and National Rugelach Day was created to increase appreciation for this diverse, culinary treasure.

Alvin Lee Smalls, owner of Lee Lee’s Baked Goods in New York City, better known as “Mr. Lee,” has been baking up rugelach for over 50 years in hopes of educating and sharing this treat with everyone. Smalls reached out to the National Day Archives in 2022 to have the day established.

“Rugelach is something that has always been near and dear to my heart, so I thought why not recognize and celebrate such a special little confection with the whole world. This day has been designated for everyone to celebrate and enjoy the delight of rugelach wherever you are!” he says.

In honor of the third Annual National Rugelach Day, Lee Lee’s Baked Goods is throwing an all-day celebration to encourage both rugelach lovers and rugelach “first timers” to go out and enjoy rugelach at their nearest bakery. Kicking off at 11:00 am EST on April 29, Lee Lee’s Bakery in Harlem will offer a 20-minute session for visitors to come in and enjoy a free piece of rugelach while learning how to prepare and bake it.