Enjoy making Hamantaschen, a pastry-like cookie for Hanukkah. Popular at Purim, this treat is a also a favorite for celebrating the Festival of Lights. This recipe is from “Cuisine at Home” and adds cream cheese to the traditional recipe for flavor. In this first attempt, dashed past the two-hour freezing step, which would have resulted in a neater cookie, but everyone enjoyed these and will make them again. Have fun and Happy Hanukkah!
“Cream Cheese Hamantachen with Fruit Filling”
Mix:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened (16 Tbsp.)
1 package cream cheese, softened (8 oz.)
½ cup sugar
Minced zest of orange
Add:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
½ teaspoon salt
For the filling, spoon:
¾ fruit butter or preserves
1 egg, beaten
Note: For jam, the recipe suggests levkar, a kosher Hungarian jam or fruit butter.
Instructions:
Mix butter, cream cheese, sugar, and zest with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. (Note: Vanilla works if orange zest is not available.)
Add flour and salt to the butter mixture and mix.
Divide dough in half and shape those into disks; wrap each in plastic and chill 8-24 hours.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll one disk into 1/8 inch on a lightly floured surface. Cut with a 3-inch cutter (a scalloped edge would look nice if available). Pinch into triangles and leave room for jam. Brush with egg wash. (Note: You many want to add a teaspoon of water and sugar, recipes on this vary.)
Add filling and pinch closed into triangular shape. Freeze two hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake until golden, 20-30 minutes. Let cool on cookie racks.
Enjoy a view at the source, Cuisine at Home. Happy Festival of Lights!
(First published December 13, 2020)
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