Hamantaschen. It's a triangular pastry with either a fruit or a chocolate filling. Apricot is the best!

Hamantaschen (Haman's Hat) celebrates the victory of Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai (and the Jewish race) over the evil Haman in Persia. I used to teach 5th and 6th grade sunday school and when it came time to teach the story I got my wife to make these simple cookies. We're not Jewish, so my wife just used cherry pie filling. The kids loved em.



Cherry Hamantachen

3/4 cup softened margarine

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 drop water

1 can cherry pie filling (20oz.?)

sugar, for sprinkling

2 1/4 cups flour



Add the margarine in a mixer bowl.

Add sugar and beat till fluffy.

Beat in egg, lemon peel, and vanilla.

Add in flour and salt.

Beat in water a few drops at a time until dough starts to come away from sides of bowl.

Place dough in a 2-quart size bag and form into a flat disk.

Refrigerate for a minumum of 2-3 hours and maximum of 2-3 days.

Roll out dough flat about an 1/8-inch thinkness on a lightly floured surface.

Using a round cookie cutter or the top of a cup, cut out circles.

Spoon 2 cherries and a little bit of filling onto the dough circles.

To fold into the shape of a hamentashen (a triangle) use both thumbs and the two first fingers on each hand.

Slide two fingers from left hand under left side and two fingers from right hand under right side and two thumbs under the bottom of circle.

Bring all fingers (with dough) together to form a triangle and try to pinch close.

Repeat this process with remaining circles and dough.

Place on a cookie sheet lined with baking paper.

Sprinkle a small amount of sugar on top of each one.

Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or till they turn a golden brown