Currants and apples, perfumed with lemon rind and vanilla bean, enrobed in an almond flour dough make an incredibly decadent combination in this paleo cookie recipe. These low-carb, gluten-free Hamantaschen are delicious after they’ve come out of the oven and cooled a bit, but just as good in your shaloch manos baskets!
The Book of Ester
Purim is recorded in the Book of Ester and dates back to 600 BCE. At that time, a number of Jews lived in Babylonia under Persian rule. Haman, an adviser to the King of Persia, Achasverus, plotted to kill all Jews. Instead, Esther and her brother Mordechai thwarted these plans with the help of divine intervention.
The Story of Purim
Rather than becoming the victims of evil decree, the Jews were allowed by the King to hang Haman. The day after his killing was designated as a day for feasting and rejoicing, the festival known as Purim.
Shaloch Manos? What’s That!
During Purim friends and families exchange shaloch manos, the literal translation means “send gifts.” Typically we exchange baskets of food and bake cookies called Hamantaschen that we include in them.
What Are Hamantaschen?
Hamantaschen, literally means Haman’s pocket in Yiddish. In Hebrew, these three-cornered cookies, little triangles stuffed with sweet filling, are called Oznai Haman, or Haman’s ear. Alternatively, it is thought that Hamantaschen represent the three-cornered hat Haman wore. I love making gluten-free Hamantaschen every year when we celebrate Purim!
Hamantaschen
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 cup currants
- 1½ cups water
- 2 apples, peeled, cored, chopped
- 1 whole vanilla bean
- 6 slivers lemon rind
- 1 cup dried apricots, chopped in quarters
Dough
- 3 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- ½ cup grapeseed oil or palm shortening
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a vitamix, on high speed, puree currants and water until smooth
- In a saucepan, combine currant mixture, apples, vanilla bean, lemon, and apricots
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft, about 35-45 minutes
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour and salt
- In a small bowl, mix together oil, egg, agave, and vanilla
- Mix wet ingredients into dry
- Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Flatten dough into small circles
- Scoop one teaspoon of filling into each circle
- Fold dough in to create a triangle, pinch corners firmly
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown
- Cool for 30 minutes
- Serve
Equipment
Low-Carb Gluten-Free Hamantaschen
Traditionally Hamantaschen are made with white flour and sugar, creating a gluten-filled, high-carb cookie stuffed with an overly sweet, very high-glycemic prune or poppy seed paste. My gluten-free Hamantaschen recipe is low-carb and so not off limits if you’re on a Low-Carb Diet.
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More Low-Carb Hamantaschen Recipes
Here are some of my other Hamantaschen recipes for you!
Rachel says
i can’t get the printer friendly version to work :(
elana says
Rachel,
It should work now.
Elana
Esther says
Thank you Elana! This looks delicious! My daughter loved the RH honey cake and we can’t wait to try these this week. Thank you for offering these recipes so we can all celebrate together!
Onionrecipe says
Wow try to say that name 3 times. It looks yummy will put this on my to do list for next week.
Shari says
Gluten free, dairy free choc chip cookies and Hamantaschen?!? And I can’t believe you have a recipe for Matzoh Ball Soup…I’m so happy I could just cry! I thought I’d never eat that again…I must be dreaming. I am SO happy to find your website.
Becky says
We are finishing up our Esther Bible Study by Beth Moore and she provided a recipe for Hamantaschen in the workbook. I was so thrilled to find your recipe that I could make gfcf! I always love your recipes and am so grateful for all the work you have done to perfect them for us! Thanks so much!
Stephanie says
I am studying Esther, I will have to try these. Thanks.
Becky says
I made this recipe this morning and they came out great.
The crust is terrific. I improvised on the filling boiling down some dried fruits I had in the house and doctoring them up.
These were so easy to make.
Everyone will love these.
elana says
Glorie -Funny you asked; I’m working on a chocolate Hamantaschen recipe for this Purim and will probably have it up in the next week or so. Glad to hear that Griffin is doing better :-) That’s huge!
Glorie says
Hi Elana!
I’m going to make these for Griffen’s purim party on Sunday! Any suggestions on how to make a chocolate filled version?
Thanks so much! PS – Griffen’s migraines are under control and he’s doing great!
GloriE
elana says
Maryann -you are so welcome!