Recipe for Purim Biscuits (Hamentaschen) Episode 9

The biscuits that Diana takes to the poor folk in the town are still made each year for Purim. Here's a recipe so that you can make your own! Make sure you get an adult to help you especially to look after the oven.

  • 125 grams butter
  • 125 grams sugar
  • drops vanilla essence (to taste)
  • 3 egg yolks plus beaten egg for brushing
  • 250 grams flour
  • pinch of salt
  • jam or pie filling

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar, then beat in the vanilla essence to taste and the egg yolks. Sift the flour and salt into bowl, blend with a spoon, then work by hand to form a dough. Knead lightly until smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill before filling.

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Grease 2 baking sheets. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 0.3 cm thick. Cut out 7.5 cm rounds. Put a teaspoon of filling on each round. Brush edges with beaten egg, then bring edges to centre to cover filling and form a three-cornered shape. Place on baking sheets. Glaze with egg. Bake for 20-35 minutes, cool on wire racks.

Click the picture to see a larger version - you might want to save it or print it too!