Hamentashen are triangle shaped filled pastries.  They are traditional Purim treats.  Click here to learn more about Purim.

Dough:
1/4 pound butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange juice
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour

Filling:
1 pound prune filling
1 teaspoon orange rind
1 teaspoon lemon rind
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped nuts

Make the dough:
Cream the butter and sugar together.  Add the eggs, vanilla and juices.  Mix well.  Add the flour and baking powder gradually, mixing in each addition until the mixture forms a dough.

Make the filling:
In another bowl combine prune filling, rinds, raisins, and nuts.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Make the hamentashen:
Roll out the dough to about one-eighth of an inch thick onto a well floured board.  Cut into 3 inch rounds.  Put about one teaspoonfill of filling in the center of each round.  Do not overfill!  Bring up the dough on three sides to form a triangle, like Haman's hat.  Pinch the sides together, leaving the center open so the filling is seen.  If it is overfilled, the sides will collapse and flatten out.  Sprinkle the tops of the hamentashen with sugar and cinnamon.  Place on cookie sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for about twenty minutes or until lightly browned.

Makes 24 to 36

There are many variations to this recipe.  Some people use a date and honey filling instead of prune.  Others make a chocolate filling.  There are also many variations in the dough, but this is the recipe my family uses.

contributed by Maya A. age 8, Beeler Elementary School