Hamantaschen Cookies Recipe
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 cup butter or margarine 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs Prune Filling -- (recipe follows) OR Apricot or Plum Filling -- (recipe follows) OR Poppy Seed Filling -- (recipe follows) PRUNE FILLING 1 (12 ounce) package pitted prunes 1 cup chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice APRICOT OR PLUM FILLING 1 1/2 cups apricot or plum jam 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds or walnuts 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs (about) POPPY SEED FILLING 1 cup poppy seed 1/4 cup walnut pieces 1 tablespoon butter or margarine 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 egg white
Mix flour, sugar and baking powder in large bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Mix lemon peel, vanilla and eggs. Stir into flour mixture until dough forms a ball. (Use hands to mix all ingredients if necessary; add up to 1/4 cup additional flour if dough is too sticky to handle.) Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.
Prepare desired filling. Heat oven to 350º. Roll half of dough at a time 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured cloth-covered surface. Cut into 3-inch rounds. Spoon 1 level teaspoon filling onto each round. Bring up 3 sides,using metal spatula to lift, to form triangle around filling. Pinch edges together firmly. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
PRUNE FILLING:
Heat prunes and enough water to cover to boiling in 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes; drain well. Mash prunes. Stir in remaining ingredients.
APRICOT OR PLUM FILLING:
Mix jam, almonds, lemon peel and lemon juice. Stir in just enough bread crumbs until thickened.
POPPY SEED FILLING:
Place all ingredients in blender or food processor. Cover and blend until smooth.
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