Hamantaschen (literally, “Haman’s Pockets”) are an age-old pastry that remind us of the Purim miracle. Sara’s family makes this recipe year after year on Purim and it consistently yields fantastic results.

• ½ cup margarine
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2½ cups flour (part whole wheat flour may be used)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of salt

1. Cream together margarine, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in eggs.
2. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Divide dough in half and place in a plastic bag. Refrigerate for a few hours.
4. When ready to bake, roll each half of dough to ⅛-inch thickness.
5. With a 3-inch cookie cutter, or the rim of a water glass, cut out circles of dough. Alternatively, cut into 2½ inch squares.
6. Place a teaspoonful of filling in center of each circle.
7. Pinch the edges tightly together, forming a triangle. Leave a little of the filling showing in the center.
8. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes until golden brown.

Yield: about 2 dozen Hamantaschen.

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POPPY SEED FILLING

• 1 cup ground poppy seeds
• ½ cup honey
• 1/3 cup raisins
• juice of ½ a lemon
• 1 Tablespoon oil

1. Combine all ingredients and spoon onto dough circles.

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DATE FILLING

• ¼ cup margarine or oil
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• ½ cups chopped dates
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• Grated rind of 1 lemon

1. Melt margarine over a low flame (or heat oil) and stir in sugar and dates.
2. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat. Add cinnamon, ginger, and grated lemon rind and mix well. Spoon onto dough circles.