SHANNON SARNA

THE NOSHER VIA JTA

As I mulled over what kind of Purim treats to whip up this year, I wanted to create some vibrant cookies that tasted as delicious as they looked. I don’t know what it is about a bowl of cereal that is somehow comforting and indulgent, but that was my starting point for these milk and cereal hamantaschen: a long way from the story of Haman and Esther, but fun and celebratory nevertheless.

Kids will love making and eating these colourful treats using their favourite cereals. Try using any cereal they like, as long as it’s a bit sugary. And if you like handing out gifts in your community as part of the festivities, these hamantaschen would inspire an adorable breakfast-themed mishloach manot.

Ingredients

For the dough:
1/2 cup butter (or margarine)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk (or almond milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling
1/4 cup crushed cereal of your choosing
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:
8 ounces (249 g) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup milk (preferably whole milk, but not skim)
1/4 cup cereal
pinch salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Additional cereal for topping

Directions

Start by prepping the filling: In a small bowl combine the milk and Fruity Loops. Set aside.

To make the dough, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, milk and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt baking powder and crushed cereal. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in batches until dough forms.

Form dough into a ball and wrap in plastic. Flatten into disc and place in fridge for at least 1 hour.

While dough is chilling, finish making the filling. Combine the milk-cereal mixture with softened cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (200 degrees C).

Take half dough and roll out to 1/4 inch (6,5 mm) thickness. Cut rounds using a cookie cutter or drinking glass.

Add about 1/2 teaspoon filling into the middle of each round. Fold corners into triangles, pinching carefully on each end.

Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat. Place in fridge for 10 minutes.

Bake for 9 – 11 minutes. Allow to cool.

Shannon Sarna is the editor of The Nosher food blog.