In a stand mixer, cream softened butter with a paddle attachment for one minute. Add granulated sugar and powdered sugar to the bowl and mix for a minute or two until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg, zest from one tangerine, tangerine juice, vanilla extract, and mix to combine.
Whisk flour, cardamom, and salt in a medium bowl, then add flour mixture to the mixing bowl, ½ cup at a time, until the dough comes together. Do not over-mix. Form dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
Divide dough into quarters and work with one quarter at a time, while the rest stays wrapped in the fridge. On a floured work surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out the dough ⅛" thick. If it sticks, use more flour. Cut out as many circles as you can using a 3" cookie cutter or a drinking glass with a 3" rim circumference.
Use a spatula to transfer 12 dough circles onto a parchment-lined baking tray; space out evenly. Add ¾ to 1 teaspoon jam to the center of each circle. Fold the left and right top sides and pinch together in the center to seal. Next, bring the bottom up and pinch the left and right corners to seal. (see video & photos)
Baking Instructions
Bake hamantaschen cookies on the center rack of a preheated 350℉ oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Video
Notes
If the corners aren't pinched tight enough the cookies may open as they bake.
Since ovens vary, keep an eye on your cookies to make sure they don't burn.
A round cutter or glass with a 3-inch circumference is usually ideal for hamantaschen.
Don’t overfill the hamantaschen. Use about ¾-1 teaspoon of filling per cookie. Overfilling can cause the cookies to burst open.
Choose thick fillings. Use jam or poppy seed filling that isn’t too runny. You can mix them with a little cornstarch or flour to help thicken them, if necessary.
Once shaped, chill the cookies on the baking sheet for another 15–30 minutes to help them hold their shape.
Place the cookies in an airtight container or a resealable bag and store them at room temperature (on the counter) for 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
To thaw frozen hamantaschen, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them thaw for about 30 minutes at room temperature.
For a just-baked feel, warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven or toaster oven for a few minutes.