Purim, Already? Why This Holiday Deserves a Spot on Your Calendar – and in Your Kitchen
January 27, 2026 | Shabbat and Holidays
By Melissa Myslinski, Harford County Parent Connector
Purim is almost here, and a lot of us are scratching our heads thinking, “Well, that was fast.”
Between sports, dance, Sunday school, vacations, the occasional snow day and mountains of work, it’s tempting to let this Jewish holiday quietly slide by. We ask ourselves: Does my family really have time for this? Would anyone even miss it?
Before you throw in the towel, consider this: when U.S. Jewish adults of all levels of observance are asked which cultural Jewish activities they actually participate in, the top answer across every group is the same — cooking and eating traditional Jewish foods. Not Shabbat. Not Jewish books or news. Not Jewish music or TV. Food.
And honestly, that tracks. The smells of Judaism stay with us. A whiff of matzah ball soup can feel like a warm hug when you’re grown and could really use one. Food is memory. Food is tradition. Food is comfort. And for so many of our kids, it’s one of the most natural and powerful gateways into Jewish identity.
Here’s my Purim challenge to you: Invite one other family over for a hamantaschen baking session.
All you need is about 30 minutes to prep and an hour to roll, fold, bake, and nosh. No perfection required.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, skip the “from-scratch” stress! This year, I’m using the Cake Mix Hack. It guarantees a soft, cookie-like dough every time. If you’re in an even bigger rush, try the Pie Crust Method for a flaky, buttery shortcut.
The Cake Mix Hack (soft, cookie-like dough)
Easiest and most popular
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp water
Directions:
Mix everything until a dough forms. Add a little extra flour if it’s sticky. Chill for at least 30 minutes, then roll, cut, fill and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Even Faster: The Pie Crust Method (Buttery & Flaky)
Faster and less mess!
Ingredients:
- 2 store-bought refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 jar filling (jam, poppy seed, etc.)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1/4 cup sugar
Directions:
Unroll, cut into 3-inch circles, add filling, pinch into triangles. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes.
Filling Options from a Dentist
Some people like fruit fillings. You’re talking to a dentist here and I have a confession. I love chocolate.
My yearly favorites:
- Nutella: freeze the Nutella into little balls before baking
- S’mores style: mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, oh my!
- Reese’s PB cups: Use miniature Reeses cups and its also best if frozen first
Traditional options: (AKA not my jam)
- Apricot
- Prune
- Strawberry
- Poppy seed
(Check out chabad.org for more detailed instructions)
Want to Go Old School?
If you’re feeling extra traditional, make your dough the night before and have a full-on assembly day. You can include the kids… or, like me, make the dough alone in peace and let them handle the folding.
Two classic recipes I love:
The Best Part: Sharing
Whatever extra hamantaschen we have, we send to our kid’s school teachers. We don’t have many Jewish children in our elementary school, but I really appreciate how inclusive the school tries to be. I also try to make myself available to answer questions and share about our traditions when invited.
And really, that’s what Purim is about. Esther steps into a position of power, gains trust and then uses her voice to reveal the truth—saving the Jewish people in the process. It’s a story about courage, identity, and showing up when it matters.
That feels pretty relevant, doesn’t it?
Get Together for Free!
Did you know that if you invite two or more Jewish families over, you can apply for a Get Together Grant from PJ Library? They may reimburse you up to $100 for your gathering. It’s the perfect excuse to host a baking party!
Purim doesn’t need to be big, elaborate, or Pinterest-perfect. It just needs to smell like sugar, sound like laughter, and feel like connection.
And if nothing else, your kids will remember this holiday as the one with the triangle cookies filled with melted chocolate. Honestly? That’s Judaism done right.
Recipe inspiration: The cake-mix cookie technique is adapted from popular online cake mix cookie hacks as seen on PrincessPinkyGirl , Eat Well Well and other baking blogs. The pie-crust shortcut for filled pastries draws on ready-made pie crust methods featured on Food.com and myjewishlearning.com.
Research Source: Pew Research Center, “Jewish Americans in 2020,” May 11, 2021.