It’s Purim, and That Means Hamantaschen!

By Leslie Feldman

If you’re on the hunt for the best hamantaschen, you’re in for a treat! These delightful, triangular pastries traditionally enjoyed during the Jewish holiday of Purim have found their way into the hearts (and stomachs) of many. From classic flavors like poppy seed and apricot to innovative twists like s’mores and matcha, bakeries across Philadelphia are putting their unique spin on this beloved treat.

Here are a few options if you are craving these for your Purim celebration …

Noshes by Sherri
Noshes by Sherri’s hamantaschen are so popular that their original flavors of raspberry, chocolate ganache and apricot are sold all year round. What makes their recipe so delicious is the tangy orange zest added to their dough. It’s what makes their hamantaschen stand out as the best from all of rest. Their gluten-free options of both raspberry- and apricot-filled hamantaschen are so good you wouldn’t think they are gluten-free. Additional special flavors include cherry, poppy seed and prune.
Noshesbysherri.com

The Magical Sweet Shop
The Magical Sweet Shop is a small mom-and-pop kosher bakery in Voorhees, N.J. Everything they bake is small batch, from scratch, like bubbe used to make with lots of love! They have taken hamantaschen to the next level with their hamantaschen pie.
Magical Sweet Shop
200 White Horse Rd
Voorhees, NJ 08043
856-309-1100
magicalsweetshop.com

Essen Bakery
Chef Tova du Plessis’ food reflects her heritage while being heavily influenced by her technical training. The bakery is a cozy neighborhood spot where a big city can feel like a small town. Hamantaschen for Purim are baked daily from scratch using the best ingredients they can find. Essen gezunt!
South
1437 East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA, 19147
North
110 West Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19122
215-271-2291
essenbakery.com

The Kibitz Room
The Kibitz Room NJ is a New York-style deli. The hamantaschen are available in a variety of flavors. Customers rave about the poppyseed ones especially.
100 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-428-7878
greatpastrami.com

The Ultimate Bake Shoppe of Ardmore
Independently owned and operated for over 38 years, this family-owned bake shoppe has been dedicated to providing outstanding service and a truly unique product line that caters to dietary restrictions, allergies and your sweet tooth. The hamantaschen are made using only natural sweeteners. The bakery makes hamantaschen in January, and continue to serve it through Purim. They offer four delightful flavors: cherry, prune, apricot and lemon.
The Ardmore Farmer’s Market of Suburban Square
610-649-2332
ultimatebakeshoppeofardmore.com

Rolings Bakery
The Bakery is a modest enterprise started in a bubbe’s kitchen. The breads, rolls and bagels are from traditional recipes dating back many years. As a family business, The Bakery has grown to include zeidie, uncle, aunt and grandchildren numbered in the double-digits. Everything about the business is family and kosher compliant. The hamantaschen have no preservatives or chemicals. Everything is fresh, handmade and delicious.
7848 Montgomery Ave
Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-635-5524
rolingsbakery.com

Steve Stein’s Famous Deli
Famous Deli has a master baker who delights in making rolls, muffins, cakes, pies, Danish, cookies and everything to compliment your meal. Hamantaschen are available in a variety of flavors for Purim.
1619 Grant Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19115
215-673-6000
steinsfamousdeli.com

Famous 4th Street Deli
Since 1923, this corner delicatessen has been a Philadelphia mainstay. Known beyond the Philadelphia region, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen has become a staple of traditional Jewish cuisine. The hamantaschen are huge and buttery and offered in a number of flavors.
7005 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-922-3274
famous4thstreetdelicatessen.com

Diane’s Patisserie
Diane’s Patisserie uses sugar dough that a German baker friend taught her. It is parve, but tastes like it has butter. It holds up really well and has that crisp bite yet smooth texture. Their flavors include chocolate chip, prune with orange rind and chopped walnuts, munn made with their own recipe, and the usual lemon, apple, blueberry, cherry, apple, raspberry and strawberry. They have a Kosher certificate with Rabbi Epstein, an Orthodox rabbi.
1 S. Forge Lane
(Corner of Chapel Ave.)
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
609-560-4111
dianespatisserie.com

Leslie Feldman is a freelance writer.