How to Make Hamantashen

Hamantashen are filled cookies traditionally consumed during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim celebrates the triumph of the Jews against the evil king Haman. The three cornered pastry is said to represent Haman’s three-cornered hat. Hamantashen are customarily filled with lekvar (prune butter) or apricot jam.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lekvar (prune butter)
• Apricot jam
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 8 oz. butter
• 8 oz. sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• A rolling pin
• A cold surface
• A glass cup for cutting
• A baking sheet

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar.

2. Add the egg to the butter and sugar. Then mix the dry ingredients together with the milk in one bowl. You can use low fat milk. This will not affect the taste of the finished product.

3. Stir in the vanilla or almond extract into the dough.

4. Roll the dough out gently on a cold surface. The dough should be about 1/4-inch thick. With a glass cup, divide the dough into circles. The circles should be about two to three inches in diameter. Put a dollop of filling in the middle of each circle. Pinch the sides until you’ve formed a triangle.

5. Place each Hamantashen on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown.

Tips & Warnings

• Lekvar can be purchased in most grocery stores. You can add other kinds of fillings to the Hamantashen such as strawberry jelly or even chocolate. Adjust baking times so that the chocolate does not overflow the pastry.