Purim recalls the triumph of the Jewish people over Haman, an arrogant advisor to King Ahasuerus who took advantage of the king in order to seize enormous power for himself. When the King ordered everyone to bow down to Haman, Mordechai, a Jew who once had saved the king’s life, refused to do so. A furious Haman convinced the king that all Jewish people were disloyal. He wanted all of them killed. But the king’s wife, Queen Esther, was Jewish and also a cousin of Mordechai.

When she learned of Haman’s plot, she told the king that she was Jewish and that Haman planned to have not just her, but all her people, killed. And the king, realizing that Haman was a danger, ordered him hanged on the very gallows that had been intended for Mordechai. The day upon which Haman died then became a celebration of life, with people exchanging food (especially sweets) and giving money to the poor. Though hamantaschen are often filled with apricots, they can also be made with poppyseeds, walnuts and raisins, or with cherry or prune preserves.

Hamentaschen

Ingredients

¾ cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ Cup butter, softened ( do not substitute margarine – it will affect the consistency of the cookies)

1 egg

¼ cup milk

Filling of choice: I use Polaner black cherry fruit spread, but you can use poppy seed filling, canned pie filling, or nut filling

Preparation

Mix sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Work in softened (not melted) butter.

In a separate bowl, mix egg and milk, then add to the rest of the ingredients.

Roll out the dough and cut into circles. Place a teaspoonful of filling in the middle of each circle. Dab some water around the edge of the circle and then pinch the dough into a triangle.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. The tops of the folds will be slightly brown when they are done, but not the entire cookie.