1. Ha’ofim Ha'ktanim | 6 shekels per unit; Arcaffe | 5 shekels per unit
For the first time, Ha’ofim Ha’ktanim introduced an Asian-inspired hamantaschen: mango-coconut chutney in a tender shortcrust pastry with almond cream and a gentle kick of spice. Price: 6 shekels per unit.
Arcaffe’s ricotta-filled hamantaschen received a similar weighted score. Price: 55 shekels for a box of 13 units, 4.23 shekels per unit, or 5 shekels each when sold individually.
2. Roladin | 6 shekels per unit
Roladin’s pink-glazed hamantaschen earned especially high scores for both appearance and flavor. The shortcrust base is filled with berry marmalade and almond marzipan, topped with freeze-dried raspberry crust.
Also scoring high was the Gold Cookie Cream and almond sablé version, filled with cream cheese and caramel cookie pieces in a chocolate crust. Price: 6 shekels per unit.
3. Metuka | 47 shekels per box; Goldy’s | 54 shekels per box
Metuka’s colorful collection features pistachio cream in green-tinted pastry alongside berry confiture in reddish dough. Price: 47 shekels for a 220-gram box (21.36 shekels per 100 grams).
Goldy’s parve pistachio hamantaschen received a similar weighted score. Price: 54 shekels for a 12-unit box, 4.5 shekels per unit.
4. Biscotti | 49 shekels per box
Biscotti’s buttery shortcrust hamantaschen, layered with milk chocolate and filled with petit beurre cream and caramelized cookie crumble, proved especially popular among younger panelists and soldiers. Price: 49 shekels for a 280-gram box (17.5 shekels per 100 grams).
5. Lehamim | 17.9 shekels per 100 grams
For marzipan enthusiasts, pastry chef Uri Scheft’s “Napoleon hat” from Lehamim bakery once again won praise from adult tasters. Handmade from butter dough and ground almonds, it is filled with high-quality marzipan. Price: 17.9 shekels per 100 grams.
6. Boutique Central | 3.5 shekels per unit
Boutique Central’s hamantaschen are made from rich buttery dough with an almond butter base and poppy seed filling. Price: 3.5 shekels per unit.
Children were especially taken with the chain’s Purim gimmick: a double cream puff shaped like clowns, filled with vanilla cream and strawberry crumble at the base, topped with strawberry cream coated in white chocolate and finished with a strawberry or vanilla ganache collar. Price: 34 shekels per unit, effectively a full dessert.
7. Haupt | 38 shekels for a mini box
This year’s highest weighted score for a traditional, home-style hamantaschen went to Haupt’s butter-based shortcrust versions, available at its new Bnei Dror Mall branch and in Even Yehuda. Fillings include poppy seed, chocolate, gianduja and dates.
“It was impossible to stop snacking on the bite-size hamantaschen,” tasters concluded. Price: 38 shekels for a box of 12.
8. Maafeh Ne’eman | 8.90 shekels per 100 grams
For fans of the Dubai pistachio trend, Maafeh Ne’eman’s tender shortcrust hamantaschen filled with pistachio paste, chocolate and chopped kadaif strands stood out. Price: 38 shekels for a 380-gram box (8.90 shekels per 100 grams).
9. Miki Shemo | 49 shekels per box; MIMI | 7 shekels per unit, gluten-free
Top performers in the tasting test included Miki Shemo’s shortcrust hamantaschen filled with nuts and Medjool dates. Price: 49 shekels for a 350-gram box.
MIMI’s handmade poppy-seed hamantaschen received a similar weighted score. The gluten-free version costs 48 shekels for a box of nine or 7 shekels per unit.
10. BreadClub | 15 shekels per XL unit; NOLA American Bakery | 10 shekels per unit
Landwer’s boutique bakery chain launched a special XL hamantaschen edition at BreadClub, filled with chocolate and salted pretzel. Price: 15 shekels per unit.
NOLA American Bakery offers a s’mores version combining Nutella and marshmallow. Price: 10 shekels per unit or 45 shekels per box.
11. Shany bakery | 49 shekels per box
For chocolate soufflé lovers, Shany bakery delivered the panel’s standout: a chocolate soufflé hamantaschen that earned a high weighted score. Price: 49 shekels for a 300-gram box (16.33 shekels per 100 grams).
12. Gutale | 56 shekels per box
Gutale in Even Yehuda offers handmade hamantaschen in special flavors, including white chocolate, premium pistachio paste with white chocolate drizzle and crushed pistachios, as well as almond cream with crumble and apples cooked in cinnamon butter and sugar.
Prices range from 56 to 60 shekels for boxes containing 16 to 20 units (3 to 3.5 shekels per unit).
