Jewish Cookies Recipes

HAMANTASCHEN-COOKIES (HAMAN'S HATS)

Steps:

• Hamantaschen are the traditional cookies of Purim, a festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.
• Grease cookie sheets.
• In large bowl, beat eggs slightly.
• Add sugar, orange peel and margarine; beat until mixture is light and fluffy.
• Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
• Add flour; mix well.
• Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 1/2 hours for easier handling.
• Heat oven to 350°F.
• On lightly floured surface, roll out 1/4 of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Keep remaining dough refrigerated.
• Cut with floured 3-inch round cookie cutter.
• Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets.
• Spoon heaping teaspoonful poppy seed filling on center of each circle. Moisten edges of dough circles with water.
• Shape into triangles as shown in diagram, folding 3 sides in without completely covering filling; pinch corners to seal.
• Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
• Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

HANUKKAH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and extract. Gradually beat flour into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, 2 hours., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters. Place cutouts 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake until set (do not brown), 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high 4 minutes or until soft peaks form. Cover frosting with damp paper towels between uses., Pipe icing on cookies as desired. Let stand until set. Store in an airtight container.