We May Hate Haman, But We Do Love A Great Hamantaschen. HAPPY PURIM!
The Hamantaschen is the official cookie of Purim, the festive Spring Jewish holiday (read: lots of drinking and costume-wearing). It celebrates a foiled plot to kill all of the Jews in ancient Persia. Haman was the nefarious villain with the plan that went kaput, so now his name lends itself to Hamantaschen (“Haman’s pockets”), the naughty little triangular cookies we eat each year. Traditionally they are filled with preserves ala apricot, raspberry, poppy, and prune, but here are 32 delicious ideas to put in YOUR pocket. We say down with Haman’s pockets as we, uh, down Haman’s pockets.
1. Caramel Apple Hamantaschen
A dulce de leche and stewed apple filling turn Hamantaschen into mini apple pies by any other name. Find the recipe here.
2. Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Savory Pizza Hamantaschen
Jews are encouraged to drink freely as they listen to the story of Purim being read annually from the Scroll of Esther (also known as the Megillah). Why not substitute the traditional wine and Hamantaschen with these Hamanpizzas and beer?
3. Cinnamon Dulce de Leche Hamantaschen
This recipe substitutes more traditional fruit fillings with a thick caramel sauce poured inside after baking.
4. Coffee Cake Hamantaschen
This cookie’s streusel-inspired filling of apple butter, brown sugar, and assorted chopped nuts is sure to give biscotti a run for its money as a coffee accompaniment.
5. Candy Cane Cheesecake Hamantaschen
This recipe allows Jews to appropriate the candy cane for their own holiday. They’re not just for Christmas anymore!
6. French Onion Soup Hamantaschen
In addition to Gruyere cheese, Worcestershire sauce is the key. Find a detailed recipe here.
8. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Hamantaschen
10. Rum and Raisin Hamantaschen
A Trinidadian filling of macerated prunes, raisins, currants, and Angostura bitters soaked in rum or cherry brandy gives the traditional dried fruit filling a boozy twist.Photo and recipe from TriniGourmet.com.
11. Gingerbread Hamantashen with Spiced Apple Filling
Who says gingerbread is only for Christmas? Ginger, allspice, cloves, and molasses give seasonal spice to the traditional shortbread base in this recipe.
12. White Chocolate and Cherry Hamantaschen
Sweet and sour, just like the heroic Mordechai and villainous Haman. Get the recipehere, created by Alison and Jeff Nathan.
13. Pumpkin Whole Wheat Hamantaschen
This variation is essentially a Purim-adapted pumpkin pie empanada.
15. Rose-Water Almond Hamantaschen
Since the story of Purim takes place in Persia according to the Megillah, the characteristically Persian flavors of rose-water and almond make this reciperegionally appropriate.
16. Fruit Hamantartlets
Ditch conventional dried or jelly fruit fillings in favor of these fresh fruit “hamantartlets”.
17. Mediterranean Hamantaschen
This homage to the Purim story’s Mediterranean setting combines tomato, basil, and goat cheese for a simple, savory appetizer.
18. Hamantaschen Truffle Pops
Abandon the traditional cookie altogether with this trendy cake-pop adaptation.
19. Samoa Hamantaschen
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, and this Samoa-inspired hamantaschen delivers the much beloved toasty coconut, caramel, and chocolatey drizzle in triangular form.
20. Baklava Hamantaschen
Baklava is a traditional Persian pastry made of layered phyllo dough, mixed nuts (commonly pistachios and almonds), and a heavy dousing of rose water-infused syrup and cardamom. This recipe swaps rose-water for apricot as a nod to traditional Hamantaschen fillings, while taking the cookie back to its biblical roots.
21. Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Hamantaschen
Gluten-allergic folks can celebrate not only Uncle Mordechai’s heroic rescuing of the Jews, but also this rice and coconut flour variant on the classic shortbread Hamantaschen dough.
22. PB & J Hamantaschen
A dollop of peanut butter turns a humdrum jelly-filled Hamantaschen into a whole new ooey-gooey experience.
24. Zebra Hamantaschen
This swirled light and dark confection embodies the Übermensches and evil tyrants present in all biblical stories.
25. Spelt Brown Sugar Hamantashen with Red Currant Agave Filling
Purim goes gourmet with this elegant Hamantaschen upgrade.
26. Savory Meat Pie Hamantaschen
From afar these may look like traditional Hamantaschen, but take a bite to discover they more closely resemble beef empanadas. Give meat-filled Hamantaschen a shot with this recipe.
27. Chocolate & Peanut Butter “Inside Out” Hamantaschen
Try this Reese’s-esque cookie interpretation.
28. Midnight Mint Hamantaschen
This bittersweet and minty Hamantaschen recipe was inspired by the classic Girl Scout Thin Mint.
29. Chocolate Raspberry Hamantaschen
The use of almond flour gives this classic pairing of chocolate and raspberries a nutty, gluten-free spin. Find the recipe here.
30. Marble Coconut Hamantaschen
The recipe for these black and white Hamantaschen is quite involved, but the outcome is almost too beautiful to eat (but presumably too delicious not to).
31. Cardamom Scented Hamantaschen with Pear & Goat Cheese Filling
Though not a cookie, this savory take on the Hamantaschen makes a nice, arguably more nutritious complement to its dessert brethren.
32. Candy Hamantaschen
Comments