Hamantaschen Cookies (a family tribute)

There are several family chuckle stories about my mother-in-law, Rosemary, and her cooking, her recipes, and her activity in the kitchen (perhaps lack thereof - except for talking with her family and friends on the phone). While she may not have spent long hours toiling in the kitchen cooking, she did have certain recipes that she was well known for - e.g., Split Pea Soup, Sour Cream Peach Pie, Banana Bread, Chopped Liver, and of course, Hamantaschen.

One thing was certain up until the time where she could no longer cook for herself - When Purim came around, she was sure to bake a few batches and she would either send them to you in the mail (along with some newspaper or magazine articles she clipped - she was a "clipper") or if you were visiting, there would be a carefully wrapped care package of the tasy little triangle goodies to be sent home with you.

Here's a tip of the little triangle pastry hats to you Rosemary!!! This is the time of year for remembrance of Purim, but also of you!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Sugar (White Granulated)

• 1 Cup Oil (we use Canola Oil)

• 3 Eggs

• 1 Teaspoon Salt

• 1/2 Cup Orange Juice, Milk, Water

• 3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

• 4 Cups Flour (or more for the bench and consistency of the cookie dough)

• Filling - we generally use cherry, lemon curd, nutella - jam or fruit spread is fin

Directions

1. Combine Sugar, Oil, Eggs Salt, Milk/Water, Orange Juice together in your mixer by creaming them together.

2. Mix Flour and Baking Powder together thoroughly with a fork (don't want any lumps of baking powder).

3. Combine the wet ingredients you creamed together with the dry ingredients and mix to combine thoroughly.

4. When mixed, remove dough from the mixing bowl and wrap with cling plastic wrap.

5. Place in refrigerator for at least 1/2 an hour.

6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

7. Roll out the dough to approximately 1/8-inch thick.

8. Use a cookie cutter or glass to cut hamantaschen out 3-inch circles.

9. Place a small dollop of your favorite filling into the center of each dough circle.

10. Wipe a small amount of water around the edge of the dough around the filling (this will help act as the glue to keep the hamantaschen from melting apart.

11. Bake the cookies on a sheet pan for 15 minutes until done (but not too brown).

As Always Best Regards and BonAppetIT!!!

TheITGourmet