Strawberry Cheesecake Hamantashen

The Jewish holiday Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar and one of the items served are hamantashen. Hamantashen are pastries made in the shape of triangles with their sides folded inward over a central filling.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 20

Ingredients

• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 2  eggs
• 2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

• Filling

• 8  ounces cream cheese
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  cup  strawberry jam

Directions

1. Cream together in a medium bowl cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Set aside.
2. Cream together in a large bowl sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Slowly add flour and baking powder. Mix together. The dough might be crumbly so use your hands to smooth it out and combine it.
3. Roll out dough on floured surface to about 1/4-inch to 1/8-inch thick and cut out circles using a donut cutter or the rim of a large glass cup or mason jar.
4. Fill center of circle with 1/2 tsp strawberry jam and 1/2 tsp cheesecake filling and than slowly fold over one side. Then the next and finally bring the bottom on top. Gently pinch the corners.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.