32 Crazy Hamantaschen For Purim

Boooooo Hamaaaaaaan!!

These are Hamantaschen.

Via treataweek.blogspot.com

They are the official cookies of the Jewish holiday Purim.

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Marked by costume parties and copious drinking, Purim is a raucous Jewish holiday that celebrates a foiled plot to kill all of the Jews in ancient Persia.

They are named after this guy, Haman.

Via chabad.org

Haman was one of the Persian king's royal advisers who had it in for the Jews, and especially for a particular Jew named Mordecai. Unfortunately for Haman, the king took a liking to Mordecai's beautiful niece, Esther, and made her his Queen. By wielding her royal influence, Esther convinced the king to save the Jews and kill Haman instead.

Hamantaschen translates to "Haman's pockets" and there are a lot of theories about what they represent — his hat, his ears, his pockets full of evil bribe money.

More importantly, they are triangular cookies traditionally made out of a delicious shortbread dough and filled with fruit preserves, poppy seeds, or marmalade. In celebration of their salvation, Jews eat them during Purim, which is on February 23rd and 24th this year.

The traditional flavors are apricot, fig, prunes, strawberry — that kind of thing.

theshiksa.com

But there's a crazy world of Hamantaschen out there!

Via ladyofthearts.com

Here are the standouts.

1. Caramel Apple Hamantaschen

Via theshiksa.com

A dulce de leche and stewed apple filling turn Hamantaschen into mini apple pies by any other name. Find the recipe here.

2. Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Savory Pizza Hamantaschen

Via foodgawker.com

Jews are encouraged to drink freely as they listen to the story of Purim being read annually from the Scroll of Esther (also known as the Megillah). Why not substitute the traditional wine and Hamantaschen with these Hamanpizzas and beer?

3. Cinnamon Dulce de Leche Hamantaschen

Via joyofkosher.com

This recipe substitutes more traditional fruit fillings with a thick caramel sauce poured inside after baking.

4. Coffee Cake Hamantaschen

Via foodista.com

This cookie's streusel-inspired filling of apple butter, brown sugar, and assorted chopped nuts is sure to give biscotti a run for its money as a coffee accompaniment.

5. Candy Cane Cheesecake Hamantaschen

Via kitchen-tested.com

This recipe allows Jews to appropriate the candy cane for their own holiday. They're not just for Christmas anymore!

6. French Onion Soup Hamantaschen

Via fritosandfoiegras.com

In addition to Gruyere cheese, Worcestershire sauce is the key. Find a detailed recipe here.

7. Gluten-Free Hamantaschen

Via thisglutenfreelife.org

Yes, it's possible! Celiac sufferers rejoice.

8. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Hamantaschen

Via thejewishweek.com

Photo and recipe by Amy Spiro at The Nosh Pit.

9. Chocolate, Raspberry and Coconut Hamantaschen

Via bakingandmistaking.com

Try this trifecta of awesome like this.

10. Rum and Raisin Hamantaschen

Via trinigourmet.com

A Trinidadian filling of macerated prunes, raisins, currants, and Angostura bitters soaked in rum or cherry brandy gives the traditional dried fruit filling a boozy twist. Photo and recipe from TriniGourmet.com.

11. Gingerbread Hamantashen with Spiced Apple Filling

Via joyofkosher.com

Who says gingerbread is only for Christmas? Ginger, allspice, cloves, and molasses give seasonal spice to the traditional shortbread base in this recipe.

12. White Chocolate and Cherry Hamantaschen

Via joyofkosher.com

Sweet and sour, just like the heroic Mordechai and villainous Haman. Get the recipe here, created by Alison and Jeff Nathan.

13. Pumpkin Whole Wheat Hamantaschen

Via joyofkosher.com

This variation is essentially a Purim-adapted pumpkin pie empanada.

14. Chocolate Ganache and Salted Caramel Hamantaschen

Via myjewishlearning.com

This salty-sweet combo is tried and true.

15. Rose-Water Almond Hamantaschen

Via joyofkosher.com

Since the story of Purim takes place in Persia according to the Megillah, the characteristically Persian flavors of rose-water and almond make this recipe regionally appropriate.

16. Fruit Hamantartlets

Via whatjewwannaeat.com

Ditch conventional dried or jelly fruit fillings in favor of these fresh fruit "hamantartlets".

17. Mediterranean Hamantaschen

Via kosherinthekitch.com

This homage to the Purim story's Mediterranean setting combines tomato, basil, and goat cheese for a simple, savory appetizer.

18. Hamantaschen Truffle Pops

Via joyofkosher.com

Abandon the traditional cookie altogether with this trendy cake-pop adaptation.

19. Samoa Hamantaschen

Via kitchen-tested.com

It's Girl Scout Cookie season, and this Samoa-inspired hamantaschen delivers the much beloved toasty coconut, caramel, and chocolatey drizzle in triangular form.

20. Baklava Hamantaschen

Via busyinbrooklyn.com

Baklava is a traditional Persian pastry made of layered phyllo dough, mixed nuts (commonly pistachios and almonds), and a heavy dousing of rose water-infused syrup and cardamom. This recipe swaps rose-water for apricot as a nod to traditional Hamantaschen fillings, while taking the cookie back to its biblical roots.

21. Gluten-Free Pecan Pie Hamantaschen

Via styleitkosher.com

Gluten-allergic folks can celebrate not only Uncle Mordechai's heroic rescuing of the Jews, but also this rice and coconut flour variant on the classic shortbread Hamantaschen dough.

22. PB & J Hamantaschen

Via socalsustenance.blogspot.com

A dollop of peanut butter turns a humdrum jelly-filled Hamantaschen into a whole new ooey-gooey experience.

23. Lemon Bar Hamantaschen

Via styleitkosher.com

A tangy lemon bar encased in shortbread? Yes please.

24. Zebra Hamantaschen

Via atasteofchallah.com

This swirled light and dark confection embodies the Übermensches and evil tyrants present in all biblical stories.

25. Spelt Brown Sugar Hamantashen with Red Currant Agave Filling

Via diaryofamadhausfrau.com

Purim goes gourmet with this elegant Hamantaschen upgrade.

26. Savory Meat Pie Hamantaschen

Via overtimecook.com

From afar these may look like traditional Hamantaschen, but take a bite to discover they more closely resemble beef empanadas. Give meat-filled Hamantaschen a shot with this recipe.

27. Chocolate & Peanut Butter "Inside Out" Hamantaschen

Via pragmaticattic.wordpress.com

Try this Reese's-esque cookie interpretation.

28. Midnight Mint Hamantaschen

Via pragmaticattic.wordpress.com

This bittersweet and minty Hamantaschen recipe was inspired by the classic Girl Scout Thin Mint.

29. Chocolate Raspberry Hamantaschen

Via elanaspantry.com

The use of almond flour gives this classic pairing of chocolate and raspberries a nutty, gluten-free spin. Find the recipe here.

30. Marble Coconut Hamantaschen

Via purplecookie.com

The recipe for these black and white Hamantaschen is quite involved, but the outcome is almost too beautiful to eat (but presumably too delicious not to).

31. Cardamom Scented Hamantaschen with Pear & Goat Cheese Filling

Via joyofkosher.com

Though not a cookie, this savory take on the Hamantaschen makes a nice, arguably more nutritious complement to its dessert brethren.

32. Candy Hamantaschen

Via ladyofthearts.com

The existence of rainbow gummy bear, gummy worm, and Toblerone-filled Hamantaschen really drives home this cookie's endless versatility. Take a look at this tutorial.