Baked hamantaschen on marble background. Mardi Gras mini mask and colorful paper confetti

Basics: How to Make a Classic Hamantaschen

Stuck indoors during this snowy Adar? Bake a batch of hamantaschen with the family.

At one of our photo shoots, we were discussing the need to post a classic hamantasch recipe. None of us has one that we love, so we were tossing around ideas of whom to ask. Our bookkeeper Shana was at our meeting that day and mentioned that there’s one her sister makes for many years that they all love. 

Great! I messaged Shana’s sister (our boys were besties back in preschool so I already have her number) asking if she could share the recipe. She sent me a picture of a recipe from an old small-town cookbook. Luckily, the name of the recipe author was on the recipe itself. I recognized the name Jo Bruck as being the mother of a woman I know. I reached out to Shoshie – another number already in my contacts – and asked her to check in with her mom if it would be ok to post her recipe on Between Carpools. She was more than happy to share with all of you – and there you have it!

Within a few minutes, we had ourselves a recipe to test. You can use a mixer or mix by hand, both will work.

Liberally spray your work surface. Roll out dough to an even, thin layer.

Using a round cup or cookie cutter, cut out circles.

Smear a little jam in the center of each circle.

Pinch two parts of a circle to create one corner.

Lift the last flap

and fold into hamantaschen shape.

Baked hamantaschen on marble background. Mardi Gras mini mask and colorful paper confetti
Print Recipe
3 from 2 votes

Hamantaschen

Adapted from a recipe by Jo Bruck

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • cups flour
  • ½ tbsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325℉.
  • Combine all ingredients, from eggs through salt. You can use a mixer or mix by hand, both will work. If dough is crumbly, add the tbsp of water to help it come together.
  • Liberally spray your work surface. Roll out dough to an even, thin layer.
  • Using a round cup or cookie cutter, cut out circles. Smear a little jam in the center of each circle and fold into hamantaschen shape. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Hamantaschen should not turn golden on top. When they are a little golden on the bottom, they are done.
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Esti Waldman

Esti’s career has brought her behind the lens of food, fashion, books, and families as a leading photographer. Her talent and technical know-how make the photography you see on the site so appealing.

35 responses to “Basics: How to Make a Classic Hamantaschen”

  1. F Avatar
    F

    I always have a problem that the hamantasch opens up when I bake it. Does it happen to this recipe and if yes what can I do to it!

    1. LR Avatar
      LR

      After you pinch together the corners , push /flatten them down

      1. Devorah Avatar
        Devorah

        Yes, did that thanks! My hamentachen came out fabulous!

    1. Chaya Avatar
      Chaya

      Freeze for an hour before baking

  2. rivka d Avatar
    rivka d

    Thank you for getting a recipe without margarine!!
    What type of jam will work? Do I have to get oven proof jam or any jam can work?

  3. Msl Avatar
    Msl

    How many does this recipe yield?

    1. Eliora r. Avatar
      Eliora r.

      I get 3

  4. B Avatar
    B

    I’m so excited! Was always looking for the best hamentasch recipe, and this could not come at a more perfect time, since we’re expecting snow in EY tom! BCP has done it once again :))

  5. Goldy Feldberger Avatar
    Goldy Feldberger

    Are you sure it has to be baked on 325 not 350?

    1. P.R. ;D Avatar
      P.R. ;D

      I did 350 to be safe

  6. Mandel Avatar
    Mandel

    Just found out a great hack for perfect, closed hamantaschen: Instead of pinching the corners, FOLD the three sides on top of the filling, leaving a small space for the filling to show. Pat the sides together if necessary.

  7. D Avatar
    D

    Would love a chocolate filling. Anyone know of a good one?

    1. P.R. ;D Avatar
      P.R. ;D

      Delinut works beautifully

  8. P.R. ;D Avatar
    P.R. ;D

    This dough was a bit sticky but still delicious. I luved that it isn’t too sweet!!!

  9. P.R. ;D Avatar
    P.R. ;D

    I actually used mehadrin cheese snack straight from the cup as a filling!SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!

  10. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    Came out one sticky mess, and I had doubled for making with my kids 🙁 what a disappointment!! Tip to spray counter was good but with this dough not enough to salvage these. Ugh!!

    1. not sticky now Avatar
      not sticky now

      i added a whole cup flour

    2. Devorah Avatar
      Devorah

      It needed some extra flour and I oiled my hands and the surface and the recipe came out great!

  11. HS Avatar
    HS

    had to add cup of flour but delicious all the same

  12. bl Avatar
    bl

    Way too sticky. Had to add at least another cup of flour

  13. Ellie Avatar
    Ellie

    Sorry but I need to agree with the others – dough was totally unmanageable without added flour

  14. Hi Avatar
    Hi

    Yes dough was very sticky. The amount of flour should be changed.

  15. Sara iflah Avatar
    Sara iflah

    Tip that HAMANTASCHEN will not open in baking: Spread egg white at the end of the circle and tighten into a triangle…

  16.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Yes wow I’m so happy to hear I wasn’t the only one struggling! Dough was a mess. Had to add so much flour.

  17. Simmy Avatar
    Simmy

    Does the hack where you roll the dough into a log and cut off circles (instead of rolling out the dough and using a cookie cutter) work with this dough?

  18. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Dough was way too sticky – tried adding flour it didnt help – used oil instead – a bit on the rolling pin and a bit on the baking paper and it worked amazing!

  19. Infinity Pavers Avatar
    Infinity Pavers

    Nice

  20. Debby Avatar
    Debby

    Had to keep on adding flour, a quick activity with the kids ended up taking way longer than expected. Ended up adding a ton of flour and oiling everything in sight. Also had to redo the rolllout since it was too sticky. Finally managed to somewhat salvage the dough but lost lots in the process to sticky fingers.

  21. Bee Avatar
    Bee

    I have a similar recipe to this one and its the best hamantash recipe. YES, its a sticky dough. Firstly, I chill the dough awhile before using it (I make the dough at night and roll/form with the kids the following day) and add some flour to the dough as I go along

  22. Rivka Avatar
    Rivka

    3 stars
    This was way too sticky for us

  23. Sh Avatar
    Sh

    Maybe the recipe needs 1 egg and not 3? It was almost like a cake batter

  24. Tzippy Avatar
    Tzippy

    3 stars
    Way too sticky even with an extra cup of flour

  25. Rena Avatar
    Rena

    Disaster of a dough. I should have read the comments. Do not make. Waaaay too sticky. Completely unmanageable.

  26. SRK Avatar
    SRK

    I’m not sure what everyone did wrong that their dough is sticky. Mine came out perfect. I made it in a bowl and mixed by hand. I did not add the water.

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