Hamantaschen are a pocket filled cookie and are recognizable for their 3 cornered triangular shape. They are the traditional food eating during the Jewish holiday of Purim. They are usually filled with poppy seeds, prunes, apricot, apple, or any variety of fruit preserved. I have even filled them with chocolate or marshmallows.
Why are they called Hamantaschen? The word itself is Yiddish for "Hamans pockets." Haman is the villain in the Purim story. We eat Hamantashen till today on Purim as part of the celebration of the holiday, which commemorates how the Jews escaped Haman's plans to massacre the entire Jewish population.
Why are the cookies triangularly shaped? Haman wore a 3 cornered hat.
What you will need:
4 eggs½ cup oil (or 1 cup margarine)
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. orange juice
¾ cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tsps. baking powder
Filling:
Strawberry preserves
Lay parchment paper down on cookie sheets.
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat together. You may need to add a drop more juice or flour, depending on the consistency of the dough.
Divide the large ball into 12 equally sized small balls.
On a floured surface, flatten one of the balls into a flat 3” diameter circle.
Enjoy!