Purim Cookies Recipe – Hamantaschen, Oznei Haman

Name: Hamentaschen Cookies Purim Cookies Oznei Haman Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients: 170 grams Unsalted butter; 225 grams White sugar; 440 grams All-purpose flour; 1 tsp Baking powder; 1/4 tsp Salt; 1 Egg (large); 1 Egg yolk; 2 tsp Vanilla (or orange extract); 4 tbsp Orange juice; 70 grams Poppy seeds; 120 ml Milk; 15 grams Butter; 30 grams Sugar; 100 grams Raisins (or dried apples (optional)); 1 cup Prunes (pitted); 100 grams Sugar; 100 grams Raisins; 1 tbsp Lemon juice; 1 tbsp Lemon zest; 200 grams Chocolate; 2 tbsp Whipping cream; 1 tbsp Butter

February 17, 2013 By Veena Azmanov 28 Comments

Purim Cookies Recipe – Hamantaschen Cookies / Oznei Haman

These Purim cookies are a special treat during the Jewish Purim festival. With hundreds of choices for fillings, from traditional poppy seed and dates to modern chocolate, dulce de leche and more. This simple, easy and effortless recipe uses a shortcrust cookie dough as a base. In addition, there are easy to follow folding instructions to get the perfect Hamantaschen cookies.

A collection of Hamantaschen cookies filled with traditional Poppy seeds or Prunes made during Purim

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman Cookies

What are Hamantaschen Cookies?

These triangular shaped cookies are called Hamantaschen cookies. Have you seen these cookies yet? Probably! They are served almost everywhere as regular normal cookies. But do you know that they are special holiday cookies?

If you are Jewish or are associated with Jewish food, then the names Hamantaschen Cookies, Oznei Haman or Purim cookies are not new to you. I myself learned of these only when I came to Israel. I started making them because my kids are crazy about them. And now every year I make these lovely Purim cookies for my kids.

The most traditional Hamantaschen cookies are filled with poppy seeds. They are the most traditional. And yet, these days, everyone wants to try something new. My son’s favorite is the ones filled with Nutella or chocolate. Ziv loves the Dates and walnuts or pecans, and my Rhea loves the strawberry filling. I love prunes, so often I will make a few just for myself. As you can see I have shared all these variations with you here on the blog.

There is a Story too??

One of the most fascinating things I learned about these cookies is the many names it has and the reason for those names. It’s all associated with the Purim story involving a bad guy name Haman, a Jewish lady name Esther, and her victory over his plot to destroy the Jewish People. The cookie is shaped to resemble the three corners of Haman’s hat. Purim is the name of the festival and both Hamantaschen and Oznei Haman are derived from his name.

Hamantaschen Cookies are a special treat during the Jewish Purim festival with hundreds of choices of fillings from traditional poppy seed and dates to modern chocolate, dulce de leche and more.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman Cookies

The Hamantaschen Cookie Recipe

When I tried these the first time, years ago in the US, they were just made using a shortcrust pastry with poppy seed filling. I did not know there was a different recipe for it until I came to Israel. So yes, often you will get these made with biscuit dough for a quick version. Those are delicious too.

I’ve also tried several different recipes from the internet or from friends, each claiming to be authentic. And the ones I like are those you can bite into the soft crust and it crumbles in your mouth, mixed with the delicious filling inside. I started with a recipe my mother-in-law gave me and then tweaked it to my preference. She loved it too.

So, after trying several recipes, I eventually created this one, which works best for me. It has the crumbly effect when you bite into it. My kids love it, my friends love it, and now I hope you will also like it.

Learn to make festive Purim cookies or Hamantaschen cookies with Pecan Pie Filling

Pecan Pie Hamantaschen Cookies, Pecan Pie Purim Cookies

Hamantaschen cookies are the highlight of Purim but traditional purim cookies are not eggless or dairy free which can be a disappointment for those with allergies. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for dairy free and eggless hamentaschen cookies can be made with any filling but today we have strawberry filled purim cookies.

Eggless Hamentaschen Cookies Recipe

Make the filling Remove the pits from the dates and roughly chop them,. Place them in a sauce pan with orange juice, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook on low until the dates are soft enough to be mashed with a fork (3 minutes) Once all the dates are mashed completely Add the chopped nuts - stir well to combine Let cool completely before you fill the cookies

Dates Purim Cookies Recipe, Hamentaschen Oznei Haman

Learn to make the traditional Purim Cookies with these Apple Pie Filling.

Apple Pie Hamantaschen Cookies, Apple Pie Purim Cookies

Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes – (Save/Pin)

Butter – I always use unsalted butter because I like to control the amount of salt. And yet, if salted butter is all you have, go ahead and use it. Just omit salt in the recipe. Also, as I explain about butter in my Tip Thursday – how butter affects baking – use room temperature butter for better results.
Sugar – I highly recommend you use fine grain sugar to shorten the creaming time. Always cream the butter and sugar well, and fine grain sugar works best.
Eggs – I use large eggs about 65 to 70 grams each.
Extract – Orange is traditional with these cookies. And yet, if you don’t have some go ahead and omit the orange. Also, vanilla always works a treat.
Fillings – I usually choose between one or two of the fillings to get two types of cookies at the same time. Chocolate is my kids favorite filling.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman Cookies

Recipe – Hamantaschen Cookies – Oznei Haman or Purim Cookies (Save/Pin)

Useful Tips and Tools

I’m not a slave to mixers. And yet, when you need some good creaming I have to insist that you use the K-Mix or Kitchen Aid.
A good baking tray is always important. So, try using a light colored baking trayBaking tray. Another option is to line the baking tray with Parchment Paper.
If you aren’t going to fill or decorate these cookies a regular rolling pin will work just fine. And yet, a Cookie rolling pin has the side spacers that will also help you with rolling. So all your cookies are leveled and bake evenly.
Also, it is really important to cool cookies completely on all sides as soon as they come out of the oven. So take them off the baking tray to prevent them cooking further and place them on a Cooking rack so they air circulates on all sides. This prevents steam from going back into the cookie thus…… keeping them crispy not soggy.
Always bake cookies on the center rack of your Oven. And if you have more than one tray simply bake them one at a time. You can bake two trays at the same time, and yet this can lead to some of the cookies in the bottom tray spreading too much. Also, you can rotate the trays during the baking. This is helpful with some cookies.
Most cookies usually bake between 10 to 12 minutes. Since cookies bake quickly they can also get over-baked. This is due to our tendency to get distracted at the last minute. Hence, my solution is a kitchen timer that is always set to 10 minutes. I turn it on as soon as I place the cookies in the oven. This has saved me many cookies since my kids always keep me busy.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman Cookies

Ingredients

For the shortbread cookie dough

Unsalted butter – 170 grams ( 1 1/2 stick)
White sugar – 225 grams (1 cup)
All-purpose flour – 440 grams
Baking powder – 1 tsp
Salt – 1/4 tsp
Eggs – 1 large + 1 egg yolk
Vanilla (or orange extract) – 2 tsp
Orange juice – 4 tbsp

Filling – poppy seed filling or prune filling, Nutella, chocolate, halva, dulce de leche, strawberry jam (any other jam)

Poppy Seed Filled Hamantaschen

Poppy seeds – 1/2 cup
Milk – 120 ml (1/2 cup)
Butter – 15 grams (1 tbsp)
Sugar – 30 grams (2 tbsp)
Raisins – or dried apples – 100 grams (2/3 cup) (optional)

Prune Filled Hamantaschen

Prunes – 1 cup (pitted)
Sugar – 100 grams (1/2 cup)
Raisins – 100 grams (2/3 cup)
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Lemon zest – 1 tbsp

Chocolate Hamantaschen

Chocolate – 200 grams (7 oz)
Whipping cream – 2 tbsp
Butter – 1 tbsp

Method

Making the Dough

Sift and combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add vanilla or orange extract.
Next, add egg and egg yolk one at a time.
Add flour and orange juice.
This is a soft dough.
Divide the dough into two.
Form each into a flat disc.
Wrap in cling/plastic wrap.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookie, Oznei Haman Cookies

Chill Dough /Roll Cookies

Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (preferably one hour) or until firm enough to roll.
Roll the dough using as little flour as possible.
Using a 3 inch round cookie cutter cut as many discs as you can.
Place the circles on a baking tray.
If the dough has softened place in the fridge to chill again.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman

Add Filling and Fold

Place a small teaspoon of filling in the center of the disc.
Do not add too much filling. The cookie dough is delicious on its own too.
Too much filling will cause an overflow and open up.
Dampen the disc edges very lightly with water or egg white ( very lightly – just to secure them).
Overlap or pinch the three sides of the disc/circle using one of the methods I’ve shown below.

How do I shape Purim Cookies – Two Methods

I have given you two methods here depending on what you like best. This cookie dough works great with both methods. And yet, some soft cookie dough doesn’t necessarily work well with the pin method. They tend to open up. However, both of these methods work great with this dough. You probably saw my son folding these cookies on my YouTube video as well as on Instagram every Purim. He loves these Purim cookies. The two methods I shared are:

The perky pinch method where you bring the three sides up. I personally like this look.
Just overlap the three sides onto each other and bake (I call it the flat look).

Method One – Pinch Method for Purim Cookies

Brush the disc ever so slightly with water or egg whites. (I use water)
The easiest way to find the middle with these triangles.
Pinch two sides – bring the third side up to the middle (see 2 & 3 square in the collage below).
Press the folds gently, do not pinch too much.
Place all cookies on a baking tray.
Note how my cookies are sealed, and yet still have that nice fluted edge (don’t press too hard).

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookie, Oznei Haman Cookies

Method Two – the Flat Look/ Overlap Method for Purim Cookies

Basically, all you do is overlap the three corners.
Start with the first, then the second overlap the first, and lastly, the third overlaps the first.
It’s easier to understand with the images below.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookie, Oznei Haman Cookies

Chill cookies and Bake

Preheat the oven at 180 C / 360 F.
Chill the cookies for at least 20 minutes while the oven is preheating. (Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better).
Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 to 14 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack completely before you store in a cookie jar.

Storage

These cookies will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks but they taste best in the first week of baking.
The cookie dough can be chilled for a week in the fridge or frozen for up to three months in the freeze.
Fruit fillings will last for a week in the fridge.

8 Tips – How to make the Perfect Purim Cookies

1. Chill the dough as required. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
2. Roll the disc fairly thin so the cookies do not look bulky.
3. Thick cookies tend to open up when baking.
4. Use the right method for the right technique. The pinch method works with firm cookie dough, but if unsure use the overlap method.
  Alternatively, test a few cookies with the pinch method first before you do the whole batch.
5. keep the filling thick so it won’t bleed out of the cookies.
6. Do not overfill the center to prevent overflow. The cookie dough is shortbread based, so it’s delicious just as well.
7. Make the disc no smaller than 3 inches because once folded they tend to be smaller in size.
8. Bake until they are starting to get slightly brown on the sides – not too much to prevent them from going hard.

Save this recipe on Pinterest for later. Tried my recipe? Share it with me, please.

Share a picture of your work with me by uploading an image here below my Image on board.
You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

Easy Hamantaschen Cookies, Soft Hamantaschen Cookies, Purim Cookies, Oznei Haman Cookies

Hamentaschen Cookies Purim Cookies Oznei Haman Cookies

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 16 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, brunch, High Tea

Cuisine: Israeli

Adjust Servings Here: 24 cookies

Calories: 164kcal

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins