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Home » Jams, Salsas, Sauces

How to Make Lekvar (Prune Butter)

by Beth Lee · Published: Mar 8, 2022

342 shares
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Lekvar pin with photo of prune filling in an orange bowl.

Lekvar or prune butter is one of the classic fillings for making hamantaschen cookies for Purim. Enhanced with orange zest and chopped walnuts, you'll be amazed what a lovely addition prune butter is to your cookie and pastry recipes.

You might also love my poppy seed filling or apricot lekvar recipe!

For ease of browsing, here are all of my Purim recipes and baking recipes.

Bowl of lekvar (prune butter) in an orange bowl with a wooden spoon and trianglular-shaped orange pieces.

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Why you'll love this recipe

If you grew up eating hamantaschen cookies, chances are you have a flavor memory of prune-filling or lekvar. Also known as prune butter, you are in for an unexpected treat if you are new to the hamantaschen cookie.

Toss aside the unglamorous thoughts you might conjur up when you think about prunes. Remember they started as a beautiful plum! Trust me, lekvar is delicious and almost irresistible, by the time you add a touch of citrus. If you like nuts, mix in some chopped, toasted walnuts too.

In fact, spread this prune butter on your morning toast or use it in other filled cookies and pastries. And, this cooking method will adapt to other dried fruits as well! Grab some dried apricots and create some apricot butter instead.

Ingredients you'll need

Ingredient shot for lekvar with words describing each ingredient.
  • Prunes: Ideally, use pitted prunes but if you happen to have prunes with pits - just be sure to remove them.
  • Orange zest: I use a microplane for zesting - one of my favorite tools in the kitchen.
  • Orange juice: Just squeeze some juice from the orange you zested.
  • Walnuts: These are optional but I love the added texture and flavor from adding toasted and chopped walnuts.
  • Sugar: You can also use brown sugar or honey or date syrup.

How to make this recipe

I like to use my mini food processor to chop the cooked prunes but if you don't have one, just mash the prunes with a potato masher or use an immersion blender if you have one.

1. Place the prunes in a small saucepan and add the water.

Prunes in pot with water being poured over them.

2. On medium heat, let the mixture come to a low boil.

Prunes simmering in the pot.

3. Reduce heat to maintain a low boil and let the prunes soften for 5 to 7 minutes.

Prunes in pot with most of the water boiled away.

4. Strain the excess water (if there is more than a couple teaspoons left) either through a strainer or by removing the prunes with a slotted spoon.

Prune filling being strained with a red spatula.

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5. Add the cooked prunes, prune water, sugar, zest, and juice to the mini food processor (or bowl if mashing).

6. Pulse or mash to your desired consistency - I like it fairly smooth with a visible small chunk here or there.

Prune filling (lekvar) after being chopped - close up on a red spatula.

7. Taste for flavor and mix in nuts if using.

Lekvar in a red bowl ready to use or mix in nuts.

Expert tips and FAQs

  1. A single recipe makes about ¾ of a cup which will fill a lot of hamantaschen, especially if you use more than one kind of filling when forming your purim cookies. But this lekvar can be used for toast and to fill other kinds of pastries and cookies such as kolaches or thumbprint cookies so don't hesitate to make a double batch.
  2. Use this same method with other dried fruits such as apricots. Or combine dried fruits such as apricots and prunes - the color may be interesting but the flavor will be great.
  3. Try other nuts or other flavor enhancements such as meyer lemon or rose water or orange blossom water.
Can I freeze prune butter?

Yes! Just be sure it is in an airtight container and if you freeze it in glass, leave some room at the top for expansion.

How long will the lekvar last in the refrigerator?

The prune filling should last at least two weeks in the fridge.

Are plum butter and prune butter the same thing?

Not exactly. Plum butter is made from Italian prune plums before they are dried into prunes. Prune butter or lekvar is made from dried plums which are prunes.

Orange bowl of lekvar with a wooden spoon in the background.

Other recipes for Purim

Try my orange hamantaschen recipe - the perfect foil for this lekvar. Or my Mexican wedding cookie dough but use prune filling instead of chocolate or my date thumbprints - a great alternative to making a traditional hamantaschen. You can also use this lekvar filling in the date cookies or the filling from the date cookies in the hamantaschen! Or try my poppy seed filling or my apricot butter variation. And finally, buy my cookbook for more great ideas including a butter-based hamantaschen recipe from my favorite baker - Hermine.

  • Chocolate-filled hamantaschen on a red plate with a yellow bowl in the background with powdered sugar suggesting the Mexican wedding cookie flavors as well.
    Chocolate-filled Hamantaschen: or was that a Mexican wedding cookie?
  • Apricot lekvar in offwhite bowl with a spoon of apricot filling and a plate in the background.
    How to Make Apricot Butter for Hamantaschen
  • Close up of 3 poppy seed hamantaschen on a flowery plate with a bowl of filling in the background.
    Poppy Seed Filling for Hamantaschen
  • Three kinds of hamantaschen on flowery white plates with their associated fillings nearby.
    Hamantaschen Recipe with Orange and Olive Oil

Buy my cookbook now!

P.S. If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating and/or a review in the comment section below. I so appreciate your feedback! AND find more inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram. Signup for my email list, too!

Lekvar at an angle with chopped walnuts on top.

How to Make Lekvar (Prune Butter)

Beth Lee
Lekvar or prune butter is one of the classic fillings for making hamantaschen cookies for Purim. Enhanced with orange zest and chopped walnuts, you'll be amazed what a lovely addition prune butter is to your cookie and pastry recipes.
4.48 from 23 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Jewish Holiday Baking
Servings 12
Calories 43 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 ounces pitted prunes about 12
  • ½ cup water or to cover
  • Zest of ½ a medium orange
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 - 3 teaspoons reserved prune water
  • ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts optional
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • In a small pot, add the prunes and water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water boils, turn the heat down and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to soften the prunes. Using a strainer or a slotted spoon, remove the prunes and place them in a mixing bowl or a mini food processor, reserving the prune water.
  • Place the prunes, orange zest and juice, sugar and 2 teaspoons of the reserved prune water in the bowl of a mini food processor. Pulse until mostly smooth - a few pieces of prune are ok. If using a hand blender or potato masher, put all ingredients in a bowl and proceed to blend. Taste for flavor and notice the texture. If it seems too thick to use easily, add the third teaspoon of the prune water.
  • If using nuts, place the mixture in a bowl and mix in nuts. Add about half and see how you like the texture. Use the rest if you want a nuttier result.

Notes

  • A single recipe makes about ¾ of a cup which will fill a lot of hamantaschen, especially if you use more than one kind of filling when forming your purim cookies. But this lekvar can be used for toast and to fill other kinds of pastries and cookies such as kolaches or thumbprint cookies so don't hesitate to make a double batch.
  • Use this same method with other dried fruits such as apricots. Or combine dried fruits such as apricots and prunes - the color may be interesting but the flavor will be great.
  • Use other nuts or try other flavor enhancements such as meyer lemon or rose water or orange blossom water.

Nutrition

Serving: 12gCalories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 77IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
Keyword hamantaschen, prune butter, purim
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Comments

    4.48 from 23 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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  1. Linda

    December 24, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    The lekvar is delicious! Thank you for the super easy recipe! Do I have to refrigerate after I make it?

    Linda

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      December 25, 2022 at 8:09 am

      I do refrigerate it. So glad you are enjoying it.

      Reply
  2. Sandi

    March 10, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    I am so excited about all of the yummy ways to use this prune butter!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      March 12, 2022 at 10:22 am

      And of course it's gluten free!

      Reply
  3. Laura

    March 08, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for this! I have been wanting to make some of this filling for my cookies and I have everything in my pantry!

    Reply
    • Beth Lee

      March 12, 2022 at 10:22 am

      Can't wait to see your cookies!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Beth!

I'm a cookbook author, cooking teacher and preserved lemon lover. My family is a mix of Jewish, Hawaiian and Korean heritage. My virtual multicultural kitchen is always open. Let's cook together! 

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