Makes 36-48
Have you been wondering what those funny looking triangle shaped cookies are popping up in all your favorite bakeries?
Well, these delicious treats are called Hamentaschen and they’re a traditional Jewish food that celebrates the Purim holiday.
What’s Purim you ask? Purim has come to be known as Halloween for Jews, since it’s a customary to dress up, but Purim actually celebrates a massive victory for Jews that took place in ancient times.
Basically what it boils down to is this: In a city called Shushan a King named Ahasuerus had a trusted adviser named Haman. After some opposition from Jews in the city, Haman convinced Ahasuerus to issue a decree to destroy the entire Jewish population. There was a party, a beauty contest, a hero named Mordechai, a queen named Esther and an epic battle, and in the end the Jews survived and thrived!
According to tradition Hamentaschen are triangular to mimi the shape of Haman’s hat. They have become a customary treat to enjoy on Purim to commemorate the victory that Jews had over evil.
Bake some for yourself and see what all the fuss is about!
Ingredients
2/3 cup vegan margarine
1 cup organic sugar
1 cup warm non-dairy milk
1 tsp lemon zest
4 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
Chocolate Walnut Filling
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
1/3 cup raw agave nectar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp vegan margarine
1/3 cup water
Apricot Filling
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/3 cup raw agave nectar
2 tsp lemon zest
1/3 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup water
Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Dough
In a mixer, beat together vegan margarine and organic sugar until creamy.
Add non-dairy milk and beat until smooth.
Add lemon zest and pure vanilla extract.
Beat briefly to incorporate.
Add half of the all-purpose flour, the cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt.
Beat on low then bring up to medium and mix until smooth.
Add the remaining all-purpose flour a little at a time, mixing after each addition until the dough is stiff and not tacky.
Divide the dough into two parts, flatten into round discs, and wrap in plastic.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour until cold.
While the dough cools, prepare the fillings.
Chocolate Walnut Filling
In a small saucepan, bring water, chopped walnuts, raw agave nectar, kosher salt, and vegan margarine to a boil.
Lightly simmer, stirring often, until the mixture thickens slightly.
Let cool, and add vegan chocolate chips once it is mostly cool.
Apricot Filling
Place the dried apricots, lemon juice, water, raw agave nectar, and lemon zest in a small sauce pot and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the apricots are soft and a slightly thick sauce is created.
Let cool and set aside.
ASSEMBLY
Prepare 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Sprinkle a light dusting of all-purpose flour on a clean dry surface.
Take one of the rounds of dough and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thick using a rolling pin. Sprinkle extra all-purpose flour on the dough if it is sticky.
Use a 3-inch circle cookie cutter or the top of a drinking glass to cut out circles of dough.
In the center of each circle, place about 1-2 teaspoons of filling.
Pull in one side of the dough towards the center, then another next to it, pinching to create a cone shape.
Then fold up the remaining third side, pinching it to form a triangle.
Be sure to seal all sides carefully.
Repeat the process with the second half of the dough.
Bake for around 9 minutes then rotate to bake for an additional 9 minutes or until the cookies bottoms are golden brown.
Notes + Serving Tips
Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to rest.
Get your Purim costume ready, and enjoy some delicious Hamentaschen.
