Hamantaschen (Jewish Shortbread Cookies)

They won't all look beautiful, but they will all be delicious

Purim may be over, but I think Hamantaschen are a delicious year-round treat. What are Hamantaschen, you may be wondering? They are a delicious fruit (or chocolate or poppyseed) filled cookie that you eat on the Jewish holiday, Purim. They are folded into triangles to represent the triangular hat that the story's villain (Haman) wore. Like many of my Jewish recipes, I use Joan Nathan's version (unless I have a traditional family recipe for it).

Hamantaschen
adapted from the Jewish Holiday Kitchen

Makes about 36

Ingredients
2/3 cup pareve margarine or butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2-3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Dash of salt

http://boomtoasted.tumblr.com/post/141093507740/making-hamentaschen-couldnt-wait-until-purim

Instructions

Cream the shortening with sugar (we do this in the mixer, yes it's red like everything in our kitchen) until the sugar is totally incorporated into the butter. You will know it's ready because the mixture won't be grainy. Add egg and continue creaming until smooth.
Add the vanilla. Stir in the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt until a ball of dough is formed
Chill for 2-3 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Taking 1/4 of the dough, roll out on a lightly floured board to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut circles of dough with a drinking glass or round cookie-cutter.
Prepare your fillings by mixing poppy seeds with honey, sesame seeds with honey, or chipping chocolate. I also like to make jam filled cookies. It helps if you microwave the honey for about 15 seconds before mixing with the poppy seeds or sesame seeds.
Fill with 1 teaspoon filling and fold into three-cornered cookies. (Press two sides together, and then fold the third side over and press the ends together.)
Bake on a well-greased cookie sheet or silpat for 10-16 minutes, until the tops are golden.