Welcome to The Storied Recipe, a podcast about food, culture, and love!
Below are links to recipes for 79 Hamantaschen filling ideas, from traditional to super unique and creative! As you find calm in folding, pinching, and decorating your Hamantaschen, I invite you to listen to Lauren's episode Purim Traditions: Honoring a Mother’s Legacy of Love
How To Use This List
- To make the list more readable, I separated it into sections based on the filling's main ingredient
- Make sure you read through the whole list. Some recipes had multiple ingredients (for instance, "Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana") and I had to make a judgment on how to categorize them.
- Use this list as inspiration & create your own fillings
- Or click on the link to make the Hamantaschen as envisioned by the recipe maker
- About 40-50% of the recipes here use a non-traditional dough recipe as well. You can decide to only make the filling with a basic dough recipe.
- If you make one of the Savory Hamantaschen fillings, a traditional sweet dough will probably not work as well.
- To inspire your creativity, I've also included 14 Bonus Hamantaschen Topping Ideas. You'll find that at the bottom of the post 😉
79 Hamantaschen Filling Ideas
TRADITIONAL FILLINGS
Poppy Seed Filling for Cookies, Pastries and Hamantaschen
Cooks in 15 minutesScrumptious recipe for mohn - poppy seed filling. Can be used to fill hamantaschen, cookies, pastries, kolaches and more. Thick, rich filling. Kosher.
Best Hamantaschen Recipe: Dairy-free Dough and Traditional Fillings
Cooks in 195 minutesA classic dairy-free Hamantaschen dough. Traditional Prune and Apricot fillings are elevated with fresh ingredients for the best Purim cookies ever!!
Apple Fillings
Caramel Apple Filling
Cooks in 50 minutesHow to make Caramel Apple Filling for cookies and pastries. This aromatic creamy and fruity filling is delectable. Sweetened with dulce de leche. Perfect for hamantaschen Purim cookies, kolache, or any pastry.
Apple Pecan Pie Hamantashen
Apple Pecan Pie Hamantashen
Apple Pecan Pie Hamantashen
You can use any flavor cake mix white, chocolate, lemon, strawberry go crazy! And have fun with the fillings. Some of my favorites are lemon curd with lemon zest, strawberry daiquiri, and of course, the one pictured here apple pecan pie.
Apple Cinnamon Spice Hamantaschen
Cooks in 190 minutesFor Purim or all year around, these traditional cookies are packed with apple cinnamon spice flavor.
Also Try:
Gingerbread Hamantaschen with Spiced Apple Filling by Jamie Gellar
Camembert Hamantaschen with Apple Cinnamon Filling by Jamie Gellar
Berry Fillings
Strawberries and Cream Hamantaschen
Cooks in 45 minutesThese Strawberries and Cream Hamantaschen are berry delicious! Totally strawsome! Esther would approve of these Purim treats!
Blueberry Hamantaschen
Cooks in 167 minutesThese triangular cookies boast lemon blueberry flavor and, although intended from the Jewish holiday Purim, they are delicious all year around!
Triple Berry Hamantashen Recipe
Cooks in 154 minutesI adapted my mothers original cookie recipe to to make these hamantaschen more flavourful and fun to eat. I decided on a triple berry filling packed with raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Jewish or not, I think everyone will enjoy these delicious, fun shaped cookies!
Also Try:
Blueberry Cobbler Hamantaschen (with Streusel Topping) by Kosher.com
Drink & Beverage Based Fillings
Strawberry Champagne Rainbow Hamantaschen
Cooks in 60 minutesIt's all your favorite things, rolled into one hamantaschen! Rainbows, booze, cookies. Strawberry Champagne Rainbow Hamantaschen!
Also Try:
Pumpkin Chai Hamantaschen by Style It Kosher
Favorite Cakes
Red Velvet Hamantaschen
Cooks in 35 minutesRed Velvet Hamantaschen for Purim. Chocolatey cookies with cream cheese filling and chocolate drizzle.
Candy Fillings
Unicorn Hamantaschen
Cooks in 1 hour 15 minutesThese colorful, magical treats are the hamantaschen of your dreams!
Also Try:
Blue Rock Hamantaschen by Kosher.com
Almond Joy Hamantaschen by Sheri Silver
Caramel Filling
Hamantaschen With Dulce de Leche Filling
Photographer: Penny De Los Santos. Food Stylist: Judy Haubert. Prop Stylist: Vanessa Vazquez.
Cheesecake Hamantaschen
Raspberry Cheesecake Hamantaschen
Cooks in 2 hoursWith a tangy raspberry cheesecake flavor running through the dough, fillingandtopping.
Graham Cracker Cherry Cheesecake Hamantaschen
The hamantaschen dough is adapted from Molly Yeh's recipe and the graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling is adapted from Shugary Sweets' mini cherry cheesecake recipe.
Also Try:
Cheesecake Hamantaschen with Cream Cheese Filling & Jam by Chabad.org
Caramel Cheesecake Hamantaschen by Kosher.com
Marbled Cheesecake Hamantaschen by Smitten Kitchen
Cherry Fillings
The Best Ever Cherry Hamentashen
Cooks in 1 hour 15 minutesWe eat hamentashen on the holiday Purim. They are triangle shaped cookies because Haman had a triangle shaped hat. My dad owns a bakery and is a baker my whole life. He makes these hamentashen every Purim. They are my favorite. When I was in college he always mailed me a box. Now I just make them myself. Hamentashen are traditionally filled with poppyseed filling or prune filling, but my Dad makes other flavors too. Cherry is my favorite, but you can also use apricot jam or use your imagination.
Also Try:
White Chocolate and Cherry Hamantaschen by Jamie Gellar (sharing Chef Jeff Nathans recipe)
Chocolate Fillings
Non-Dairy Chocolate-Filled Hamantaschen
Non-Dairy Chocolate-Filled Hamantaschen
Non-Dairy Chocolate-Filled Hamantaschen
If you love hamantaschen, don’t pass up this recipe – parve hamantaschen from a soft dough that melts in your mouth – you won’t believe it has no butter – and with a rich chocolate filing that’s a breeze to prepare. Happy Purim!
Triple Chocolate Hamantaschen Recipe
Cooks in 1 hour 30 minutesNutella Hamantaschen
Cooks in 40 minutesTraditional hamantaschen cookies for Purim are filled with Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread.
Mint Chocolate Hamantaschen
Cooks in 75 minutesMint Chocolate Hamantaschen for Purim. So long prune and poppy seed!!
Also Try:
Chocolate Glazed with Southern Citrus by Kosher Like Me
Chocolate Hamantaschen with Creamy Chocolate Halvah Filling by Kosher Like Me
Chocolate Chip Hamantaschen by NY Times Cooking
Fillings Based on Favorite Cookies
No-Bake Rice Krispies Treats Hamantaschen
Cooks in 25 minutesThese easy Purim treats are infinitely customizable.
Speculoos Hamantaschen | The Nosher
Speculoos, or European cookie butter, seems to be all the rage these days. Trader Joes makes their own brand and ...
Hamantaschen With Lemon Curd Filling
Photographer: Armando Rafael. Food Stylist: Judy Haubert. Prop Stylist: Vanessa Vazquez.
Also Try:
Cookie Butter Hamantaschen with White Chocolate by The Kitchn
Giant Spumoni Hamantaschen by Molly Yeh on the Food Network
Dried Fruit Fillings (Dates, Figs, Raisins)
Date-Orange Filling
This date-orange filling is one of three filling varieties you can use in our hamantaschen recipe.
Date and walnut hamantaschen
Cooks in 45 minutesIsraeli hamantaschen have a delicate and crumbly crust. And here they are filled with dates and walnuts. The main difference between the Israeli and American hamantaschen is the dough. While Americans make hamantaschen with cookie dough, Israeli make theirs with a type of Pt sucre, that's crumbly, buttery and rich.
Date spread is available at Kosher and Israeli supermarkets. Alternatively, you can use dates and boiling water, as directed in the recipe below.
Also Try:
Raisin Almond Filling by Big Oven
Nut and Nut Spread Fillings
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Hamantaschen
Cooks in 48 minutesChocolate Peanut Butter Banana Hamantaschen or you can call them the Elvis Hamantaschen
Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Hamantaschen
This hamantaschen recipe is dairy free but you can use butter and heavy cream in place of the margarine and coconut milk to make it dairy.
Honey-Nut Filling
Any combo of nuts will taste delicious in your next batch of buttery hamantaschen.
Also Try:
Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Hamantaschen by Overtime Cook
Marzipan Sprinkle Hamantaschen by My Name is Yeh (Molly Yeh)
Almond Butter Hamantaschen with White Chocolate Drizzle by Kosher.com
Twists on Poppy Seed Fillings
Poppy Seed Hamantaschen, two ways
Cooks in 1 hourIsraeli hamantaschen are delicate and crumbly and filled with homemade poppy seed filling. The main difference between the Israeli and American hamantaschen is the dough. While Americans make hamantaschen with cookie dough, Israeli make theirs with a type of sable dough, that's crumbly and rich.
You have two classic options for the filling in this recipe: one is for the classic homemade poppy seed filling, the other is with the addition of chocolate. Both are wonderful.
Poppy seeds are available in bulk online, and at most Eastern European and Middle Eastern supermarkets. Alternately, you can buy a few jars of poppy seeds from the spice rack at any chain supermarket.
To achieve the rich texture of the cooked poppy seed, the seeds need to be ground. The way to do it is with either an electric coffee grinder or with a blender, preferably a powerful one, such as Vitamix. As you grind the poppy seed they will become darker in color and will resemble almond flour in texture. Grind the poppy seed close to when you're ready to cook with it, as it becomes rancid pretty quickly, especially when grounded. Any leftovers you can keep in a sealed container in the freezer until you're ready to use.
Poppy-Pecan-Honey Hamantaschen
These hamantashen feature a filling made with poppy seeds, milk, pecans, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, & honey plus a dough made with egg yolk, cream, & honey.
Also Try:
Lemon Poppy Seed Hamantaschen by Eating Well
Savory Fillings
Savory Caramelized Onion Hamantaschen
A savory twist on traditional hamantaschen with goat cheese, red onions and and tomatoes!
Bialy Hamantaschen
Cooks in 187 minutesAnything triangular can be a hamantaschen if you really believe! Like these Bialy Hamantaschen (Bialytaschen?) stuffed with cream cheese, caramelized onions and poppy seeds!
Savory Spinach hamantaschen
Cooks in 45 minutesA surprising filling for this traditional sweet treat!
Pizzataschen
Cooks in 25 minutesWhy limit hamantaschen to cookies? These Pizzataschen are bitesize, delicious mini-pizza made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough.
Also Try:
Caramelized Onion and Poppy Seed Hamantaschen by NY Times Cooking
Savory Persian Herb and Cheese Hamantaschen by Kosher.com
Thanksgiving Feast Hamantaschen by Jamie Geller
Savory Cheese, Red Pepper, and Corn Hamantaschen by Chabad.org
Deli Hamantaschen in Fried Wonton Wrappers by Between Carpools
Taco Hamantaschen by Kosher In The Kitch
Pizza Hamantaschen by Kosher on a Budget
Spanakopita Hamantaschen by Chabad.org
Easy Savory Goat Cheese and Spinach Hamantaschen by Kosher.com
Tropical Fillings
Papaya Coconut Hamantaschen
Cooks in 60 minutesPapaya Coconut Hamantaschen are all the tropical vibes you need this Purim. They are almost like macaroons meet hamantaschen!
Pineapple Hamantaschen
This recipe was inspired by the pineapple tarts I see all over my native Malaysia (and other parts of Southeast Asia) around the Lunar New Year. Pineapples are first processed into a chunky puree and reduced over a steady flame, often with the addition of sugar and spice, turning all thick and jammy. You could use canned pineapple, but if you do, cut back on the sugar (I explain how below). This intense, lustrous jam is encased in an equally rich, crumbly dough. Of course these tarts symbolize wealth. Featured In: These Bright, Tropical Tarts Translate to "Come Here, Wealth!"
Also Try:
Tropical with Pineapple Coconut by Kosher Like Me
Lime and Coconut Hamantaschen by Wandering Jew
BONUS!
14 Hamantaschen Topping Ideas
These are easy ways to jazz up any hamantaschen recipe!
- Sprinkled Sesame Seeds
- Freeze-dried raspberries
- Drizzled white chocolate
- Dipped dark chocolate
- Chocolate shavings
- Lemon glaze
- Shredded coconut
- Orange/Lemon/Lime Zest
- Sea Salt
- Muscovado Sugar
- Finely chopped or ground nuts
- Sprinkles or Sanding Sugar
- Crushed graham crackers
- Drizzled caramel
Listen To Lauren's Bittersweet Purim Memories in Ep 023 of The Storied Recipe Podcast.
My podcast guest Lauren Cooper lost her mother when she was just 14. In this episode, she shares her mother's adventurous, inclusive spirit, Maxine's authentic Hamantaschen recipe, and Lauren's tradition of making Hamantaschen with her sister in honor of their mother's legacy.
Like this recipe?
How To Make Hamantaschen
For a traditional, authentic, foolproof dough recipe, plus instructions on how to fold Hamantaschen triangles, and tips & tricks on baking, visit this post:
Follow us @thestoriedrecipe on Pinterest
Recipe Card plugin by WPZOOM
All around the world, communities celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim with Hamantaschen Cookies. Hamantaschen dough is a sweet pastry with a texture halfway between a shortbread cookie and pie crust. Circles of dough are dotted with a sweet filling, then pinched closed into a triangle shape.
The most traditional of these fillings is a poppy seed paste. In fact, the name Hamantaschen may even come from the Hebrew word for poppy seeds. (Rather than, as legend suggests, Haman’s ears, hat or pocket.)
However, in recent years, bloggers have moved away from the most traditional favorite fillings and have begun developing their own unique flavors.
In this post, I’ve curated 79 of the best Hamantaschen filling recipes. In truth, this is only a small fraction of the ideas out there. I can’t wait to see what YOU come up with – please let me know!
Purim Cookies! Classic Hamantaschen
The Purim Story
As told in the book of Esther...
The Jews were under brutal rule of the Ancient Persians. A beautiful young Jewish woman named Esther was chosen by the king to become his wife, but she did not initially disclose her nationality or religion.
Meanwhile, an evil man named Haman sought to destroy all Jews.
At great risk to her own life, Esther decides to confront the king, reveal herself as a Jewish woman, and expose Haman's villainous intentions, saying "Who knows but I was raised for such a time as this... and if I perish, I perish."
Through Esther's courage, her Uncle Mordecai's cunning, and Haman's own hubris, the Jewish people are saved. Haman is condemned to death.
Now, even the name of the cookie "Hamantaschen" remind Jewish people of God's mercy. Different legends say the triangular-shaped cookies are reminiscent of Haman's hat, Haman's ears, or Haman's pockets.
Would love to hear from you!