After Hanukkah (and all the food that goes along with it), I try to be extra careful with what I eat-mainly because before I know it, it’ll be yet another holiday with lots and LOTS of eating. And although I love the holiday of Purim, I’m not sure my waistline can afford all the hamantaschen that are already coming my way!
Cookie tasting for the blog is a tough job, but I guess someone’s gotta do it! 😉
With all the hamantaschen tasting that’s been going on at my house, I’m happy to say that there’s a lot of Purim inspiration coming your way in the next couple of weeks. I’m so excited to share my first one with you!
Polka dot hamantaschen!
Generally, I really like a simple hamantaschen with a slight twist, so for my polka dot hamantaschen, I knew I wanted quick prep, mostly pantry ingredients, and lots of pizzazz!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a wacky hamantaschen flavor as much as the next girl, and if you follow other kosher blogs, you know there hasn’t been a shortage this year. But you don’t always need to include some crazy ingredient into you hamantaschen. Sometimes, changing up the look of a classic does just the trick.
You can be as creative as you want with these. Change up the colors, flavors, shapes-you name it! Oh, and don’t forget to include your kids on this one; they are a blast to make!
Here are step-by-step photos to help you along the way!
Step 1. Color your hamantaschen dough.
Step 2. Form into very small balls.
Step 3. Roll out the non-colored dough, and place the small colorful balls on top.
Step 4. Using your finger, press the balls down to flatten.
Step 5. With a rolling pin, smooth out the dough. Then, using a round cookie cutter, cut circles out of the dough.
Step 6. Place the circles, color side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Fill the centers with your favorite filling.
Step 7. Fold the sides up to form a hamantaschen and pinch closed.
Bake for 6-8 minutes and allow to cool!
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- Purple food gel
- Blue food gel
- Green food gel
- Strawberry jam
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl of an electric mixer, cream the sugar and butter until pale and fluffy. Add in the egg, vanilla, zest, and salt. Mix until well combined. Then, add in the flour, baking powder, and juice. Mix until the dough forms.
- Take out three medium size pieces of dough. Leaving most of it in the mixing bowl.
- With your hands, color each medium size piece a different color. Form them into very small balls. Roll out the non-colored dough, and place the small colorful balls on top. Using your finger, press the balls down until flat. With a rolling pin, smooth out the dough. Then, using a round cookie cutter, cut circles out of the dough. Place the circles, color side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Fill the centers with your favorite filling. Fold the sides up to form a hamantaschen and pinch closed.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until lightly golden on the bottom.
- When the cookies are done, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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