Irresistibly Light Hamantaschen Cookies
Celebrate Purim or any special occasion with these Irresistibly Light Hamantaschen Cookies. Originating from a beloved Jewish tradition, these delightful pastries are filled with your choice of fruit preserves, giving them a modern twist suitable for year-round enjoyment. The low-fat ingredient swap of banana and yogurt makes these cookies a healthier option without sacrificing taste. With their tender dough and berry-rich filling, these cookies are perfect for sharing with loved ones, bringing joy and sweetness to every bite. Enjoy these charming treats alongside a cup of tea or as a festive dessert at your next gathering!
50
Servings
32
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
3 1/2-4 cups (All-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe.)
sugar
3/4 cup (Granulated sugar.)
baking powder
2 teaspoons (Leavening agent.)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (Enhances flavor.)
sweet butter
1/2 cup (Cut into small pieces.)
ripe banana
1 (Mashed.)
eggs
3 (Separated into yolks and whites.)
low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 pint (Add creaminess.)
jelly or preserves
as needed (For filling; any flavor you prefer.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, use your clean hands (or gloves) to mash the sweet butter and ripe banana together with the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt) until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3
Smush in the egg yolks and low-fat vanilla yogurt until combined. If the dough is too sticky, gradually incorporate additional flour until you reach a smooth, manageable dough consistency.
4
Divide the dough into four equal parts and wrap each section in plastic wrap. Place them in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes to help them firm up.
5
Once the first dough section is ready, transfer the other portions to the refrigerator to keep them cool.
6
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first portion of dough to approximately 1/8-inch thickness.
7
Use the rim of a drinking glass to cut out circular shapes of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
8
Add a spoonful of your chosen jelly or preserves to the center of each circle. Carefully fold the edges of the dough to form a triangle, ensuring some of the filling is still visible.
9
Brush the cookies with the beaten egg whites for a beautiful golden finish.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
11
Remove from the baking sheets and let cool on a wire rack before serving. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Nutrition Information
0.8g
Fat
5.2g
Carbs
0.6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Irresistibly Light Hamantaschen Cookies?
They are delightful pastries originating from a beloved Jewish tradition, filled with fruit preserves and made with a healthier twist using banana and yogurt.
What makes these Hamantaschen cookies a healthier option?
This recipe uses a low-fat ingredient swap of mashed banana and low-fat vanilla yogurt to reduce fat without sacrificing taste.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 32 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each cookie has about 0.8g of fat.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 50 servings.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is perfect for these cookies.
How much butter is needed for the dough?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sweet butter, cut into small pieces.
What is the role of the banana in this recipe?
The ripe mashed banana acts as a low-fat substitute and helps create a tender dough.
How should I prepare the eggs?
The 3 eggs should be separated; use the yolks for the dough and save the whites to brush on the cookies before baking.
What kind of yogurt should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/2 pint of low-fat vanilla yogurt to add creaminess.
What can I use for the filling?
You can use any flavor of jelly or fruit preserves that you prefer.
How do I mix the initial dough ingredients?
Use clean hands or gloves to mash the butter and banana into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
What should I do if the dough is too sticky?
If the dough remains sticky after adding the liquid ingredients, gradually incorporate additional flour until it is smooth and manageable.
Why do I need to freeze the dough sections?
Freezing the dough for 20-30 minutes helps it firm up, making it easier to roll and cut.
How thin should I roll out the cookie dough?
Roll the dough to a thickness of approximately 1/8-inch.
How do I create the circular shapes for the cookies?
You can use the rim of a standard drinking glass to cut the dough into perfect circles.
How do I fold the Hamantaschen?
Place a spoonful of jelly in the center, then fold the edges up to form a triangle while leaving the filling visible in the center.
What gives the cookies their golden finish?
Brushing the assembled cookies with beaten egg whites before baking provides a beautiful golden finish.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake them for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
How should the cookies be cooled?
Remove them from the baking sheet and let them cool on a wire rack.
Are these cookies suitable for Purim?
Yes, Hamantaschen are a traditional treat for the Jewish holiday of Purim.
What is the carbohydrate content per cookie?
There are 5.2g of carbohydrates per cookie.
How much protein is in each cookie?
Each cookie provides approximately 0.6g of protein.
Can I store the dough in the fridge?
Yes, while working on one portion of dough, you should keep the other portions in the refrigerator to keep them cool.
Is there salt in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is included to enhance the flavor.
What leavening agent is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking powder.
Can these be served at a tea party?
Absolutely! These charming treats are perfect alongside a cup of tea or at any gathering.
How much sugar is in the dough?
The dough requires 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
Are these cookies tender or crunchy?
These cookies are known for having a tender dough and a berry-rich, soft center.