Hamantashen, the classic Purim cookies, are eagerly awaited by everyone young and old. They are versatile and can be made from a good sweet yeast dough, flaky dough or from a traditional cookie dough. The fillings can be mixed and matched. Prune butter and poppy seed are traditional but one can use any kind of jam or preserves.
Ingredients
4 cups flour
4 eggs
¾ cup sugar
1 cup margarine, softened
1 Tbsp. Orange juice
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
2 tsps. Baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp. Orange rind
Fillings:
1 pound prepared poppy seed filling
or, 1 pound lekvar (apple or prune butter)
or 1 pound strawberry or apricot preserves
Preheat oven to 350
Grease cookie sheets.
Place all ingredients in a large mixer bowl and beat together. You may add a drop more juice or flour, depending in consistency of dough. Roll dough into a ball. Divide into four parts.
Proceed to assemble and bake according to Hamantashen illustrated.
Illustrated Guide:
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1. Prepare dough of your choice. Divide into four portions
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2. On a floured board roll out each portion to about 1/8-inch thick. Using a round bicuit or cookie cutter cut 3-inch circles.
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3. Place 1/2 to 2/3 teaspoon of desired filling in the center of each circle.

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4. To shape into triangle, lift up right and left sides, leaving the bottom down and bring both side to meet at the center above the filling.

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5. Bring top flap down to the center to meet the two sides. Pinch edges together.

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6. Place on grease cookie sheet 1 inch apart and bake at 350 degree preheated oven for 20 minutes.
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