How to Make Lekvar (Prune Butter)

Lekvar at an angle with chopped walnuts on top.

How to Make Lekvar (Prune Butter)

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.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Dessert

Cuisine Jewish Holiday Baking

Servings

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

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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