• To make the dough:1. Beat the butter or margarine until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.2. Beat in the egg.3. Blend in the juice, vanilla and salt.4. Stir in enough of the flour to make a soft dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least 1 hour.To fill and make the hamantaschen:1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.2. Remove the dough from the fridge. If it feels too hard to roll out, let it stand at room temperature until malleable, but not too soft.¼ inch thick. 3. Flour a clean work surface. Divide the dough into two pieces and roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. 4. Cut rounds of dough with the edge of a drinking glass or circle cookie cutter, dipped in flour. Repeat rolling and rounding with remaining scraps of dough.5. Place a dollop of jam on each round. Pick up the sides and pinch them together to form a triangle, leaving the jelly center exposed.6. Line a few baking trays with parchment paper.7. Place the hamantaschen about 1 inch apart. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Tips

• To make a quick homemade filling, mix eight ounces of date spread with ½ cup of coarsely chopped nuts and zest of one lemon.