Hamantaschen-Cookies (Haman's Hats)

• Ready In: 8 mins
• Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 4  large eggs
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  teaspoons  freshly grated orange zest
• 1  cup margarine or 1  cup butter, melted
• 4  cups all-purpose flour or 4  cups unbleached flour
• 1 (12 ounce) can poppy seed filling or 12  ounces prune filling or 12  ounces  apricot filling

Directions

1. Hamantaschen are the traditional cookies of Purim, a festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.
2. Grease cookie sheets.
3. In large bowl, beat eggs slightly.
4. Add sugar, orange peel and margarine; beat until mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
6. Add flour; mix well.
7. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 1/2 hours for easier handling.
8. Heat oven to 350°F.
9. On lightly floured surface, roll out 1/4 of dough at a time to 1/4-inch thickness.
10. Keep remaining dough refrigerated.
11. Cut with floured 3-inch round cookie cutter.
12. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets.
13. Spoon heaping teaspoonful poppy seed filling on center of each circle. Moisten edges of dough circles with water.
14. Shape into triangles as shown in diagram, folding 3 sides in without completely covering filling; pinch corners to seal.
15. Bake at 350° for 8-12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
16. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.