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Poppy Hamantaschen Cookies


Those cookies are traditionally in triangle shape, which represents the three corners of Haman’s hat, filled with poppy seeds or prune filling. The shape may also represent the three Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who inspired Queen Esther. More information can be found here.
Adapted from Smitten's Kitchen

DoughPoppy Seed Filling
  • 270 g All-purpose flour
  • 100 g Powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp Finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/3 tsp Salt
  • 1 Large egg yolk
  • 200 g Unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 Egg, beaten for glazing
  • 170 ml Milk
  • 70 g Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Finely grated lemon zest
  • 80 g Poppy seeds, ground
  • 40 g Dried cherries, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Lemon extract
  1. Place the flour, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to blend. Add the butter and egg yolk and process until the mixture forms a ball. Scrape onto a sheet of plastic and wrap it tightly. Chill the dough for an hour or overnight.
  2. If you can't find ground poppyseeds, use a spice mill or coffee grinder with whole poppyseeds. Heat milk, sugar, lemon zest, ground poppy seeds and chopped dried cherries in a small saucepan over medium heat. On a low simmer, cook until the seeds have absorbed the milk and the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice, and butter and cook for 2 minutes more. Turn the heat off and stir in lemon extract. Cool completely.
  3. Preheat the oven 180C/350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 4mm/1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter or glass to cut 6cm/2.5 inch circles. Put a teaspoon of the filling in the center of each and press up the sides to form a triangle or any desired shape.
  4. Place them on the prepared trays and brush the tops with the beaten egg for glaze. Return tray to the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes; chilling them again will help them hold their shape while they are baked. Bake until cookies are golden, about 15 minutes. If trays are on different racks, switch them after about 10 minutes.

88 comments:

aipi 17/6/11 06:35

Cookies look so scrumptious! A recipe I would love to try. Surely delicious.
US Masala

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Sarah 17/6/11 06:51

these cookies are so cute! And I guess versatile too as the filling can be varied...

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Anonymous 17/6/11 07:19

No matter the shape, these little treats looks super tasty.
:-) Mandy

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Santosh Bangar 17/6/11 08:02

looking beautiful and gr8 recipe of cookies must try it

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Jeannie 17/6/11 08:07

I love the look of all your cookies, they all looked so delicious! This one is no exception!

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Rosa's Yummy Yums 17/6/11 08:18

So pretty and delicious looking!

Cheers,

Rosa

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Unknown 17/6/11 08:20

Pretty interesting recipe, thanks for sharing and the cookies looks perfectly done

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Maris(In Good Taste) 17/6/11 10:30

You did an amazing job on these. My mom loves hammantashen and next time I am home I will be making these for her. Bookmarked!

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Noob Cook 17/6/11 10:33

the poppy seed filling looks really good! wish I can have these cookies for tea break now :p

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Maria 17/6/11 11:54

These look so irresistible!

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Priya Suresh 17/6/11 12:03

Pretty scrumptious cookies, looks elegant and addictive..

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Belinda @zomppa 17/6/11 12:22

These are so delightful! Love the colors and that sweetness.

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Finla 17/6/11 13:48

Beautiful and yummm.

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My Little Space 17/6/11 13:50

Angie, I love the fillings. Other than bialys, seldom ppl used poppy seed fillings. The cookies look really inviting. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're going to have a great weekend.
Kristy

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Juanita 17/6/11 14:33

Oh my...I have never seen such interesting looking cookies! Those seem like a labour of love to make with getting the shape and filling just right. I've never eaten poppy seeds and cherries together as a combo either...sounds delicious though.

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adorasbox 17/6/11 14:38

These are suck lovely cookies. Love poppy seeds. I bet these would be nice with fruit, too.

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kitchen flavours 17/6/11 14:50

What a delightful and interesting cookies! Never tried ground poppy seeds before! These are lovely, and sounds wonderful with the dried cherries!

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claudia lamascolo 17/6/11 15:07

Instructions and the cookies are perfect, if you saw my posts on these, they were not where near this beautiful great job!

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Karen 17/6/11 15:16

Oh I LOVE sweets with poppy seeds. These look so cute and delicious. Would love to nibble some right now. :-)

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foodtravelandwine 17/6/11 15:21

I love hamantaschen cookies!!.....I have tried them with two filling figs and apricots.....your version is FANTASTIC!!......I would love to try with poppy seeds.....WONDERFUL!!.......Abrazotes, Marcela

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SavoringTime in the Kitchen 17/6/11 15:25

I have never tried hamantaschen but they look delicious. I love poppy seeds so the filling really appeals to me!

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Unknown 17/6/11 15:32

A friend of mine just baked me a batch of Hamantaschen cookies. They are so delectable!! Yours look wonderful!

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Unknown 17/6/11 17:40

I've always wanted to try making hamantaschen. THese look fantastic :D
*kisses* HH

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ann low 17/6/11 18:01

This cookies look so pretty and delicious! Wish to have some for my tea break too :)

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lena 17/6/11 18:12

i thought they look like mini galettes from the first picture. stylish and one of those cookies with distinctive flavour!

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Torviewtoronto 17/6/11 18:26

beautiful delicious cookies
check out the event in my site

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Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook 17/6/11 18:35

Love hamantaschen! Your poppy filling looks delicious.

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Jocie's Mom 17/6/11 18:50

Adorable treats! And the name uses 'schen!' That increases its cute factor even more :) Well done!

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Nitha 17/6/11 18:58

Cookies look so pretty..

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woman 17/6/11 19:31

that looks so good! I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing.

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Foodie Ann 17/6/11 19:40

Looks scrumptious Angie...:)

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Sara @ Saucy Dipper 17/6/11 19:48

How innovative...I don't think I've had a cookie quite like this. We all need more poppy seeds in our life. At least I do.

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Radhika@foodfor7stages 17/6/11 21:30

Those teeny-weeny cookies are so pretty.Will be a great team time snack for me.

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sweetlife 17/6/11 21:32

The poopy seed filling is wonderful!!


sweetlife

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Patty Price 17/6/11 23:17

Oh, I love hamantaschen with poppy seed filling, they're also good filled with chocolate chips;-)

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Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets 18/6/11 00:19

I love poppyseed sweets of all sorts and the lemon zest here must go so well with the seeds.

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Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake 18/6/11 01:28

I have a couple friends who rave about these cookies! Yours look fabulous, Angie...and I hope to be able to sample some one day soon~

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Tiffany 18/6/11 02:42

Poppy seeds and cherries sounds wonderful together!

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Reeni 18/6/11 03:32

Oh my goodness - with my love of poppy seeds these are just looking so good to me! I love the idea of using cherries too! And they're perfect.

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Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover 18/6/11 03:50

I seldom make cookie, yours look good .

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Biren @ Roti n Rice 18/6/11 04:25

Very interesting cookies! The poppyseed filling sounds very tasty. Have a great weekend!

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Sue 18/6/11 06:16

I'm not sure how you pronounce the name, but these cookies sure look scrumptious! :)

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Barbara 18/6/11 13:24

This is a new one for me, Angie. Interesting background too. Lovely crusty pastry with a poppyseed/cherry filling. They look marvelous!

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Carolyn 18/6/11 14:45

Ooooh, I love these. They are so pretty and the poppy filling would be so tasty.

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elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds 18/6/11 16:09

What a coincidence, Angie...I was just popping over to comment, and let you know about the award, when you already beat me to it.
You have no idea what wonderful memories the Hamantaschen cookies you made...btw...so perfect, and gorgeous!
To be perfectly honest, I've never made them, since my grandmother made them years ago, have not even tasted one that was nearly as good as hers.
Love the poppyseed filling, and am cherishing the recipe, to make these, for sure!
Thanks for sharing, my sweet friend!

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Mary Bergfeld 18/6/11 18:57

Angie, these really look delicious. I love this kind of treat. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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maameemoomoo 18/6/11 19:22

Really adorable! I have recently acquired a packet of blue poppy seeds. Would love to try this recipe of yours. :)

But i reckon would be tough since i don't have the cutter right?

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Kate@Diethood 18/6/11 19:28

These are gorgeous! I love hamantaschen cookies... now I like them even more because of the poppy seed filling... that's delicious!

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Angie's Recipes 18/6/11 20:10

@maameemoomoo
Just use a round cutter or a glass to cut out the circles, then push up the sides to have a triangle or a square.

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Joanne 18/6/11 20:36

I've always wanted to try that poppyseed filling! Sounds so good!

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Peggy 19/6/11 01:23

I actually made some hamantaschen earlier this year for a co-worker. They really are tasty and the pastry dough is just exceptional!

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Claudia 19/6/11 03:01

I love Hamantaschen and we make them for Purim every year. The poppy seed variation is great fun and have noted it!

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Unknown 19/6/11 03:47

Such beautiful photos! They sound delicious too, and I love their cute little shapes. What lovely cookies!

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Angela 19/6/11 04:00

Such an exotic cookie- and really lovely.

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Lorraine 19/6/11 14:28

Yum! These must be delicious, so unusual with wonderful flavors:)

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Beth 19/6/11 14:52

These cookies sound great. The cherries must make them burst with flavor!

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Anna C 19/6/11 15:27

My girlfriend remembers these growing up. Her mother would always make them for Purim. They look so cute.

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Anonymous 19/6/11 18:44

What a fantastic recipe...these cookies are a must-try! :)

Tammy~

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Monet 19/6/11 19:13

Oh these look so pretty (and I imagine they taste even better!) Thank you for sharing such a yummy cookie recipe with me today. I need to get baking!

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Roxana GreenGirl 19/6/11 20:31

Oh, I have so many childhood memories of these cookies. Haven't had one in ages.
My grandma used to make us but shaping them in triangle.
Thanks for sharing Angie

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Gloria Baker 19/6/11 20:40

Angie this look absolutely delicious, I really love it! xxgloria

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Heather S-G 19/6/11 21:35

How cool...I love the history on the cookies, I didn't know that. Your version looks divine...that filling is stellar!

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chow and chatter 19/6/11 22:47

these look wonderful always enjoy your cookies

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Cathy at Wives with Knives 20/6/11 16:33

Beautiful cookies and poppy seed filling is one of my favorites. I remember my grandmother making these when I was growing up.

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A SPICY PERSPECTIVE 20/6/11 17:55

Oooo! What fantastic looking little cookies. So fancy!

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Anonymous 20/6/11 21:36

Having a bit of trouble pronouncing the name of these cookies, but they sure look and sound fantastic!

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Malli 20/6/11 22:11

Incredibly cute and tasty looking cookies!!

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Juliana 20/6/11 22:42

Angie, these cookies look delicious, love the filling, poppy seeds and cherry...would love to enjoy them with a cup of tea :-)
Have a wonderful week ahead!

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Jackie 20/6/11 22:48

Perfect sweet treats for tea time :D

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Lucy Lu 20/6/11 22:53

looks wonderful and delicious!

have a nice day,
Lucy,

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Ilke 21/6/11 04:03

They have an interesting historical story! I would like to try to make them if I can find some ground poppy seeds... Very appetizing pictures, Angie!

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Christine Ho 21/6/11 04:41

Love the shape of these cookies you made, the fillings on top are very inviting. Yum!

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A Canadian Foodie 21/6/11 16:55

Are these typically Arabec or Lebonese? I wonder where they originate from. I will have to look up the name. I have been in a serious blogging slump and working to climb out of it... just trying to get my posts caught up and the overdue reading is overwhelming. I have missed you!
:)
Valerie

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briarrose 21/6/11 19:02

Such a pretty cookie. The filling looks delicious.

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Angie's Recipes 21/6/11 21:06

@A Canadian FoodieYou have been missed terribly too! ;-)
They are Jewish cookie made for the Purim, I think they originate from Israel...not 100% sure.

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Magic of Spice 22/6/11 00:35

These are adorable and I love this filling!

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Sweet And Crumby 22/6/11 22:05

I would LOVE to make these. So glad you shared this. Yours look perfect!

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Cheah 24/6/11 04:48

These cookies are awesome. Used to have poppyseeds here but think they can't be imported anymore. They're unique!

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Simple cake recipes 28/6/11 00:05

this are the sweetest cookies, I must try them .. and we love poppy seeds :)

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