Easy Hamentashen Recipe

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Hamentashen are delicious filled cookies eaten for the Jewish holiday of Purim. They can be made with a variety of fillings, including fruit preserves and poppy seeds. Other popular options include Nutella, dates and prunes. These days, you can even find hamentashen with savory fillings, like goat cheese and herbs! Either way, you can be sure that your family and friends will enjoy these tasty triangle-shaped cookies.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Video of the Day

Things You'll Need

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

  • 3/4 cup margarine or cubed unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1 egg, room temperature

  • 1 1/2 cups filling of your choice

  • Water or orange juice, as needed

Tip

For this recipe, we used Nutella. But you can use any filling(s) you like or have on hand.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the butter or margarine and sugar.

Video of the Day

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Beat with an electric hand mixer until fluffy and combined.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 2

Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat to combine.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 3

Add the flour, one third at a time, beating continously.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 4

Eventually, you'll need to combine the mixture by hand. Knead the dough until it is smooth and tacky, but not sticky. If it's too wet, add a sprinkle of flour. If it's too dry, slowly add water or orange juice, one tablespoon at a time.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Cover the dough and chill for 2 to 3 hours.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Dust your work surface with flour. Roll the dough into a thin sheet, about 1/4-inch thick.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 6

Use a mason jar lid to cut out circles. You can also use the rim of a glass or a 3-inch circle cookie cutter. Re-roll the scrap dough as needed.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 7

Spoon 1 teaspoon of filling onto the center of each circle.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 8

Fold one side of the circle toward the center.

Advertisement

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 9

Fold the opposite side toward the center, creating a pointed end along the top.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 10

Fold up the bottom edge, tucking the bottom left under the first fold you made. This will make sure all three edges are tucked under a flap.

Pinch the edges to seal.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 11

Transfer onto a greased baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Step 12

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Your homemade hamentashen cookies are ready to eat. Enjoy!

Image Credit: Kirsten Nunez

Advertisement