Photo & Styling: Yehuda Salomon

Yield: 20

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Level: Medium

Ingredients:
Dough:
2 tablespoons finely ground walnuts
1 1/3 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 slices Tnuva Edam Cheese, cut into tiny pieces
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3.5 ounces cold butter, cut into pieces
2 – 4 tablespoons ice cold water
Filling:
5 slices Tnuva Edam Cheese, cut into small pieces
1 large pear, diced
1 egg yolk beaten together with 1 tablespoon water
Dried thyme for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions:
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Prepare the dough: Put the ground nuts, flour, baking powder, salt, cheese, thyme and butter in a food processor with the S blade. Pulse until you have a consistency of fine crumbs. Add the egg and just enough water for a dough to form. Remove from the food processor. Form into a large ball and then flatten into a disc.
3. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1 1/2 inches. Cut out circles about 4 inches in diameter. In the center of each circle, place a few pieces of cheese and pear. Brush the edges with the egg yolk wash and seal the edges tightly with 3 corners, as shown. If desired, sprinkle with dried thyme.
4. Arrange the hamantaschen on the baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until nicely browned.
Tip: Save time and effort! Substitute the dough with Maadanot Frozen Rolled Short Dough for Sweet and Savory Pastries.