Classic Hamantaschen for Purim

Posted by Margalit

Hamantasch is a cookie in Jewish cuisine recognizable for its 3-cornered shape. It is eaten during the Jewish holiday of Purim. Traditional fillings are poppy seeds (mon) or prune, but they are made with many different flavors, including date, raspberry, lemon, almond, or apricot. For children, parents sometimes make chocolate-filled Hamantaschen.

Hamantaschen are generally made by rolling the dough thin, cutting it into circles, placing filling in the center, and folding in three sides with a pinch. The dough is generally a cookie dough, usually made with non-dairy products, with orange juice and/or rind added. Sometimes a yeast dough is used instead.

The hamantasch symbolizes the three-cornered hat that Haman wore.

It is thought that they were originally called mon-taschen (Yiddish "poppy seed pockets") but modern legend has it that Haman, the villain of Purim, wore a triangular hat. In Israel, they are called Oznei Haman (Hebrew for "Haman's ears").

This recipe is my absolute favorite. The cookie is delicious by itself, and filled with various different flavors it is an outstanding Hamantaschen.

4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cups flour

In a large bowl, beat eggs. Beat in oil, sugar, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Add flour gradually; mix thoroughly. Knead intil smooth enough to roll on a floured board or pastry cloth.

Roll dough out in 4 portions about 1/4-inch thick.

Cut into 3- or 4- inch rounds with a round cookie cutter. Plain for fluted is fine. If you don't have a cookie cutter, a glass top will do.

Place desired filling by teaspoonfuls in each round. Pinch together sides of circle to form triangle. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake about 20-25 minutes in a 375 degree oven or until done. Yields approximately 6 dozen.

Fillings:

Poppy Seed Filling

1 cup poppy seeds
1.2 cup milk
1.4 cup honey
1/3 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Cook all ingredients over low heat and stir occasionally until almost all liquid is evaporated.
Yeilds 2 1/2 cups.

Chocolate Filling

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk or coffee
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine all ingredients. Yeilds 2 cups.

You can make other fillings by using good quality jams and curds.

TAGS: Cookies, Fillings, Hamamtaschen, Purim
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