Lemon Pistachio Hamantaschen

Hamantaschen (known as Oznei Haman in Hebrew) are sweet triangle-shaped cookies that Jews enjoy during the holiday of Purim. The recipe for the dough has been with me for years, and this year I’ve decided to elevate the cookies to the next level by creating a new recipe- Lemon Pistachio Hamantaschen.

Looking for more Hamantaschen recipes? Try my S’mores Hamantaschen, Chocolate Sprinkle Hamantaschen, and Chocolate Hamantaschen with Chocolate Dough.

Ingredients Overview 

**Before you start baking, measure and prepare your ingredients so the baking process will go smoothly and easily. I highly recommend using a food scale to weigh your ingredients.

All-purpose flour: Regular all-purpose flour forms the base of these Hamantaschen cookies. Be sure to measure your flour carefully for the best texture.

Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): For sweetness, for a pretty garnish (optional), and it helps absorb moisture from other ingredients, giving the cookies an extra tender and chewy texture.

Butter: Cold unsalted butter, cubed. I like to pop it into the freezer for 5-10 minutes before using it. 

Egg whites: The egg white has lots of protein, which helps form the cookie’s structure, and lots of water, which interacts with the flour’s proteins. 

Pistachio paste/butter/spread (sweet): Store-bought or make your own. You can find it in health food stores, online platforms such as Amazon, Costco, and some specialty food stores or gourmet shops.

The filling should be thick enough to prevent the cookies from collapsing and losing their shape during baking. If your spread is very thin, mix it with 1/2 cup of cake or cookie crumbs (lemon or vanilla are my favorites).

Lemon zest: The lemon enhances the flavor of the pistachios, and the combination of them is just divine

How to Make Lemon Pistachio Hamantaschen? 

Step 1: Make the dough: Begin by placing the butter, powdered sugar, flour, salt, and lemon zest in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the egg whites and process just until a uniform dough is obtained. If the dough is not coming together, add a little cold water (a teaspoon at a time). 

Step 2: Chill the dough: Shape the dough into a disk about 1 inch thick. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours (up to overnight). Chilled cookie dough tends to spread less during baking.

Step 3: Shape the dough: Roll the dough on a floured surface to a ¼ -inch (½ cm) thickness and cut circles using a cookie cutter.

Place a flat teaspoon of the filling in the center of each circle, pinch the edges together in three places so that they meet in the middle to form a triangular cookie shape. Pinch the three corners of the triangle together firmly to seal the edges. Make sure the filling is well-enclosed.

Arrange the Hamantaschen on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Chill the Hamantaschen: Place the Hamantaschen in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour before baking.

Step 5: Bake: Bake at 350°F/180°C for 15-20 minutes until the dough is slightly golden. Let it cool.

Pro Tips

The dough:

• Work as quickly as possible to prevent the dough from becoming warm. 
• Don’t skip the chilling time. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading out too quickly once they’re in the oven. 

The filling: 

• The filling should be thick enough to prevent the cookies from collapsing and losing their shape during baking. 
• If your filling is thin, you can make it a little thicker by mixing it with cookie crumbs (like graham crackers), cake crumbs (from a stale leftover cake), or chopped pistachios/nuts. It will prevent them from spilling out during baking. 
• Don’t put in too much filling, or you won’t be able to close the Hamantaschen. One teaspoon is enough. 

Baking:

• The cookies should remain relatively white and not brown.
• The cookies will start changing color on the bottom when ready to take out of the oven. If you want them extra crunchy go ahead and give them a few more minutes.

How many cookies are in a batch?

• With a 3.5 inch diameter cookie cutter or a glass about 14-16.
• With a 3 inch diameter cookie cutter or a glass about 16-22.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Homemade Chocolate Bars

Mandel Bread with Dried Fruit

Cookies for Purim

Honey Spice Soft Cookies-Duvshaniot