Easy Hamantaschen Recipe - Homemade Sweet Filled Cookies

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Easy Hamantaschen Recipe - Homemade Sweet Filled Cookies
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
60 mins
Total Time:
80mins
Category:
Recipe by Administrator
Published on September 20, 2023

Learn how to make delicious and festive Hamantaschen cookies with this easy recipe. These sweet filled cookies are traditionally made for the Jewish holiday of Purim and are shaped like triangles. The buttery cookie dough is filled with your choice of sweet fillings, such as jam, chocolate, or poppy seed paste. They are perfect to share with family and friends during the holiday season.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Your choice of sweet fillings (jam, chocolate, poppy seed paste, etc.)

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
  4. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm). Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles of dough.
  7. Place a teaspoon of your chosen filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold up three edges to form a triangle shape, pinching the corners tightly to seal.
  8. Transfer the filled cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
  9. Gently reroll the scraps and repeat the process until all the dough and filling are used.
  10. Bake the Hamantaschen for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  11. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  12. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Interesting Facts

  • Hamantaschen translates to 'Haman's pockets' in Yiddish, named after the villain in the Purim story.
  • The triangular shape of the cookies represents Haman's hat or ears.
  • Traditionally, Hamantaschen are filled with poppy seed paste, but nowadays, a variety of sweet fillings are used.