Here’s to Purim! It’s celebrated this year from February 28-March 1. Here’s how to make yummy Hamentashen cookies!

Make the filling for the cookies first:

POPPY SEED FILLING PRUNE FILLING

* 1/4 cup sugar                                             * 1/4 cup sugar

* 1/3 cup honey                                            * 1 teaspoon lemon juice

* Grated zest of 1/2 lemon                             * grated zest of 1/2 lemon

* 2/3 cup raisins                                           * 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

* 1 teaspoon vanilla                                      * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

* 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts                   * 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Now make the cookie batter:

* 2/3 cup butter
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 egg
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 2 1/2-3 cups flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* Dash of salt

1.  Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and continue creaming until smooth.
2.  Add the vanilla. Stir in the sifted flour, baking powder, and salt until a ball of dough is formed (a food processor is excellent for this).
3.  Chill for 2-3 hours, or overnight.
4.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
5.  Roll 1/4 of the dough on a lightly floured board to about 1/8 inch thickness. Cut circles of dough with a drinking glass or round cookie-cutter. With your finger put water around the rim of the circle. Fill with 1 teaspoon poppy-seed or fruit filling and fold into three-cornered cookies. (Press two sides together, and then fold the third side over and press the ends together.)
6.  Bake on a well-greased cookie sheet 10-16 minutes, until the tops are golden.

Happy Purim!