To all of my Greek friends celebrating Easter this weekend… Kalo Pascha! Do you have a different recipe for Koulourakia? A perfect bite. I use a teaspoon to measure out dough balls. These sesame cookies are made in small ovals and rings. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. My mother use to make lentel koulouria without eggs or dairy products and used yeast, flour, oil & brandy But unfortunately she didn’t pass on the recipe and died aged 102. Gradually add the flour into the mixture and once the dough starts to release from the side of the mixing bowl, it's time to stop adding the flour. Legend has it that the cookies date back to Minoan times. Greek Holiday Cookies Recipe: How to Make It | Taste of Home Kourabides, a traditional Greek pastry with butter at Christmas time. Start checking 15 minutes in. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. I want to make these for my Greek neighbors, so I want them to be perfect. Refrigerator before baking. Great recipe for Fluffy orange koulourakia. The hairpin and long braided koulourakia make them the perfect dunking cookies for your coffee. I will try the orange zest sometime. I had a mother, two nonnas and a couple of aunts that were amazing bakers… I have already shared so many of these recipes with all of you… lemon knots, biscotti, amaretti, ciambelline… Italian cookies I know, up close and personnel. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your email address will not be published. The first time I tasted Koulourakia was over 35 years ago at my cousin’s (wife to be) bridal shower. Allrecipes has more than 10 trusted Greek cookie recipes complete with ratings, reviews and baking tips. My company, Sweet Greek Personal Chef Services, tantalizes palates in Los Angeles and beyond with full culinary services, recipe development, cooking classes, and Greek-themed pop-up dining experiences. My cookie sheet pan are always cold and I have tried to put them in the the. I suspect the ouzo enhanced the appeal of your recipe. There are a variety of koulourakia: savory, sweet, vegan, with olive oil, with tahini but the Easter ones have […] 4 medium eggs. Would you recommend that? I have seen some recipes that will add melted butter, others will add both butter and shortening, I have also seen a vegan version of this recipes …truly endless variations. The week before Easter every family ( or almost every family nowadays) is preparing koulourakia and tsourekia and this is a way of getting in the mood of these Holy days. https://mysweetgreek.com/recipes/koulourakia-greek-butter-cookies Recipe by ΜΠΙΣΚΟΤΙΤΣΑ Koulourakia are a fluffy and crispy, orange-scented traditional Greek Easter Cookies that are the perfect treat with coffee, milk or hot chocolate. From what I read, it seems like it is a 1:1 ratio. I think they taste great either way. 2) It will be nearly impossible to roll out the cookies using a warm dough just out of your mixer.Baking the cookiesThe baking time will depend on your oven, and how large you make the cookies. zest of 2 oranges. Growing up in a Greek community, friends always offer the sweet butter-based cookies as a casual afternoon snack; they are also fixtures at every celebration, and on every holiday spread. We had one vegetarian in attendance and Christina prepared her a special dish. My mom also uses almond extract in place of vanilla cause that’s how she likes them. Every course was amazing. I would appreciate if you could tell my why my spread out and don’t keep their shape? kourabiedes Kou-ra-bi-ETH-es are festive Greek butter cookies with a shortbread texture and almond flavor. Are you ready to roll? Get the coffee ready and call the kids into the kitchen for some fun baking time! Hi Garrett, I think they probably had Canadian Club in the house back then, but these days I use Bulleit Bourbon because that’s what we usually have in the house. Preheat oven to 180°C/356°F. It is now time to add the flour and baking powder. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times in order to properly incorporate the butter and sugar. Break off a heaping tablespoon at a time and shape into traditional “koulourakia” shapes: figure “8”; twists; braids; circles. But if you don’t live near a Greek bakery, you’ll want to make them for yourself using this easy recipe. I have this bottle of homemade ouzo that was given to me when I was in Greece seven years ago and I have barely made a dent in it, so this was a great opportunity. Add eggs and beat until blended. She made us many delicious dishes and we highly recommend her! Thank you . In the meanwhile, I will share a “modern” version of this recipe which is made with baking powder. Sift together 3½ cups flour and baking powder and set aside. Add egg, brandy and vanilla, mixing well. She was organized and efficient in the kitchen, and most importantly, whipped up a mouth watering meal at significantly less cost than if we had hosted this event at a restaurant. Bake for 13 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Add a few tablespoons of flour if the dough is still sticky. Looking for Greek cookie recipes? Mar 23, 2019 - Explore Connie i's board "Koulourakia recipe" on Pinterest. Delicious Greek milk cookies (koulourakia) with soft crumb full of flavor and a beautiful golden brown colour. I surfed around a bit to find a recipe for Koulourakia that I could make for Orthodox Easter this year and liked the sound of yours, Maria. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Love that you love Greek food! Needless to say, these cookies have been around for a long time! You just made my day! The dough will be soft and malleable but it should not be sticky. The eggs are next. Christina created the perfect Christmas dinner for 14 foodies. Let’s just say I was one happy teenager . They are a great gift idea - packed in an airtight container. Her service was brilliant, we decided a menu together. Add the eggs, and beat until lightly … This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This can take up to 5 minutes. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it. https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/easter-greek-cookies-koulourakia It’s ok. I have been making Koulourakia for overf 50 years! The whole process begins in the bowl of a stand mixture and a paddle attachment. Store in covered containers. Koulourakia are most often associated with Easter, but I don’t think I’ve attended a holiday party in a Greek household where they didn’t make an appearance. As was mentioned, regardless of the shape, try to keep them the same size so that they bake evenly. Stop mixer and scrape down bowl. https://mostly-greek.com/2019/04/19/koulourakia-greek-easter-cookies Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Once they are baked, they will keep well for two weeks at room temperature or can be frozen for a longer period. Preheat oven to 375°F. Preheat oven to 375℉ (190℃). Rub or whisk together the orange zest and the sugar. With a medium sized cookies scoop, portion and roll into a 7-inch log. Now she makes my dad help! Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to wire rack to completely cool down. Thank you! Christina is a wonderful chef! She arrived on time, prepared with everything she needed. Your email address will not be published. I'd definitely book her again. Place 1 inch apart on a parchment or greased foil- lined baking sheet. Koulourakia cookies are favorites all over Greece. Or, roll out into a long rope and make the shape from the letter “S.” Place on a cookie sheet lined with non-stick baking paper and bake at 350 degrees 20 minutes or until golden brown both on the top and bottom. This is a soft pliable dough and as a result, it can be made into different shapes and sizes. These koulourakia cookies are fabulous! It is always a matter of personal taste and preferences. You probably won’t use the whole cup. If you try this recipe, invite someone you love to make it with you. She recently published a cookbook and had multiple suggestions at the ready for a four course meal and dessert, including vegetarian options. See more ideas about koulourakia recipe, greek cookies, traditional easter recipes. Add the egg yolk and again, beat well and scrape down the bowl. She’d still make me do it if I didn’t live across the country from her. You can now add the rest of the liquids. More importantly, the food was healthy and delicious. I like rolling them out a little thinner than most people do because they look a little prettier. Beat together for 30 seconds. You want to see them getting golden brown on top and on the bottom.Cooling the cookiesLet the cookies cool on a rack for at least 5-10 minutes before you remove them from the cookie sheet. Pick up the top right section of the letter “T” and cross it over and place it parallel to the long middle section. Ingredients. Let the mixer work the dough for 5 minutes. If you're baking multiple cookie sheets at once, place one on the top rack and one underneath and switch half way through. Fold in half and twist together. Beat in 2 of the egg yolks, one … Koulourakia are pale in color, and so you will find that an egg wash (made with one egg yolk and water) will provide a gleaming color. Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Easter! Perfect ratio and perfect taste !! They will be very soft when you remove them from the oven and you must give them time to cool and firm up. Hopefully, there is a reader that can help you out. Make the naughty version called Drunk Koulourakia aka Koulourakia Methismena. On the night of the event, her execution was impeccable. I am thrilled to read you are enjoying these wonderful cookies. Learn how your comment data is processed. These are a lot faster to make and will yield about 3 dozen cookies. 16g powdered baking ammonia ( 1 tbsp) 1/2 cup lukewarm milk. She kept asking me if I was going to dye eggs or make Koulourakia so I got the hint and took the plunge. We love baking them at Christmastime along with Melomakarona and Kourabiedes. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture little by little. Don't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. He eats them all anyway. At that point, your dough should still be fairly sticky. 4 cups flour (plus 1-4 cups more if dough is sticky) 1 1/2 cup sugar. Pick up the middle section and place it between the other two sections thereby creating a braid. In a small bowl beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water; set aside. Then incorporate the 3 additional cups of flour. Sweet Greek Personal Chef and Culinary Services Los Angeles, CA, Personal Chef and Culinary Services in Los Angeles, CA — Recipes, Healthy Meals, Cooking Classes. Add sugar to the mixture and beat another 5 to 7 minutes. Once you try these Greek butter cookies, known as koulourakia, you will make them all year long. Truth be told, I wasn’t really interested in the Italian cookies. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients. My mother in law makes larger ones using about a tablespoon of dough. Today, they are considered festive cookies that can easily be found at all major Greek holiday celebrations. Resting and refrigerating the dough is essential, or else you won't be able to roll out the cookies. In my cookbook: Opa! As a result of this lifelong fascination, I am always on the lookout for cookie recipes… that’s just my way! In a tabletop mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy. It doesn’t make a huge difference with the type/brand. Lay a piece of parchment paper on your oven trays. You should be able to pinch off a ball of dough and roll it into a cord or thin tube. Sift together 3½ cups flour and baking powder and set aside. If it is sticky, add a few tablespoons of flour until you get it to that consistency. Outside of soirees, they are the perfect compliment to coffee as an afternoon snack or breakfast. Once you taste this cookie, you will understand why it is now made throughout the year! Luckily today in Greece, you can go to any zaharoplastio and easily purchase them by the kilo — and you’ll want to fill your box because they disappear quickly. This was our first experience hiring a private chef and we were so. I just made these today and they are by far the best Greek Koulourakia I’ve ever had !!! The Spruce. was flexible with her menu, accommodated a couple guests with special dietary needs, had flawless execution through each course, served everything on time with great presentation and most importantly, did everything with a smile and was a pleasure to have in our home! Koulourakia (or Koulouria) are one of the most revered traditional Greek desserts. Cover in plastic and let rest for 30 min. 5 stars all the way. Mine are delicious just wish mine could look like yours. Thanks for sharing. The dough should be soft, but not sticky. Some are quicker to make than others. 1 tbsp vanilla extract. A traditional Koulourakia recipe will actually include baking ammonia, which as you probably know is a leavening agent. Complete the braid, cut off the end and gently tuck underneath. Top with sesame seeds (optional). 250g butter ( 8.8 oz .) The dough is made with basic pantry staples and then twisted into all sorts of beautiful shapes. I have been making these cookies for over 30 year’s My question is my cookies taste great but mine always spread out very wide and never hold the pretty shape that yours do. Kali Mera! Like I always say, there is no right or wrong recipe. I made them without much thought cos my daughter insisted on koulourakia while I had just finished flaunes! Roll the balls into 7-inch log shapes and form the letter “T”. Required fields are marked *. Thanks so much for sharing Anne. Starting at the top left, pick up the left portion of the letter “T” and cross it over the middle section. Add in a shot of ouzo, frangelico or whatever liqueur takes your fancy. FUN FACT: Did you know that the oils found in the orange zest (or any citrus fruit) will infuse the sugar when rubbed together? Add the cubed room temperature butter and cream together with the sugar until light and fluffy. OPTIONAL: During last minute of baking switch to broil (the tops will become slightly golden in color). Gradually beat in 3-4 additional cups of flour until a soft dough forms and the dough starts to release from the sides of the bowl. Thank you! There is no need to use flour on your board, as you want your dough to adhere to it as you are rolling and shaping the dough. All rights reserved. To find success with this recipe, first add the cup of flour that you’ve combined with the baking soda and baking powder. Roll out into a long rope and make a circle. 1 1/2 cup sugar. I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Here are a few examples of how to shape these sesame seed topped traditional Easter cookies: Continue in this manner until all the dough has been shaped. If the dough is still a bit sticky, add up to 1/2 cup a flour, one tablespoon at a time until it is soft but not longer sticky. Next, add the room temperature butter and cream together until light, fluffy and pale looking. But this recipe is based on one from our dear friend in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Andriana Skinner. weeks before (with vegan and gluten free options), she came with everything she needed and even cleaned up after. 3 tablespoons vanilla extract, or if using Greek … I am thrilled to read this! This is what I do: I start by adding 420 grams (3.5 cups) of flour which has been sifted with the baking powder (if you do not have a scale, always fluff and then scoop up the flour). Total yield is about 2 dozen cookies braided in this fashion. For the final cup of flour, slowly spoon it into the mix. There were some specific menu needs that needed to be met and she was professional and easy to communicate with throughout the planning process. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments. Can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Combine the baking powder, baking soda, and salt with 1 cup of flour, and add it to the mixer. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. these look so lovely ! To see how I made mine, watch the step-by-step sequence below! I am a professional chef, cookbook author, recipe developer, and journalist based in Los Angeles, California. Turn mixer tow low speed. Historians will inform us that these Greek twist cookies can be traced back to Crete during the Minoan civilization (ie 2600 to 1100 BC). Let me know in the comments! How to Koulourakia — Greek Butter Cookies by xtinaxenos on Jumprope. Growing up in a Greek community, friends always offer the sweet butter-based cookies as a casual afternoon snack; they are also fixtures at every celebration. Happy Easter!!! The dough should be soft but not sticky. Bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 15 to 25 minutes, or until golden in color. We know your answer, so try these next: Chewy Almond Cookies; Italian Butter Cookies; Coffee Scroll Biscuits; Anzac Biscuits I have read that baking ammonia is good to use in koulouraki instead of baking powder. Breakfast / Brunch / Recipes / Vegetarian, Entree / Greek Food / Recipes / Side Dish / Vegan / Vegetarian, cookies / Dessert / Greek Food / Recipes / Vegetarian, Appetizer / Entree / Recipes / Salad / Side Dish. The egg wash is an important step to give the finished cookies a pretty sheen. For a more golden topping brush with egg yolk instead of milk. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter for 5 minutes in a large mixing bowl. Like you I grew up eating delicious Italian food and baked goods all made from scratch by my mom and my aunts. I had never heard of them but you said they reminded you of biscotti. Since this Greek cookie has been around since forever, there are probably thousands of variations. If you do experiment with the recipe, I would love to hear about your results. Thanks Celina! Continue until all twists are formed. Once the dough has chilled, form the cookies by taking a heaping teaspoon of dough and rolling it into a 5 to 6-inch long piece. Add sugar and beat the mixture until it lightens in color and is creamy. She is very sweet and also very professional! https://www.food.com/recipe/sesame-greek-easter-cookies-koulourakia-4313 Christina exceeded all of our expectations! They are sold in bakeries, but they are much tastier (and less expensive) when made at home. (Sydney Australia). This can take up to 5 minutes. Thanks so much Margaret. Then I really upped my game when my mom took me down to our church during the summer to help them bake for our annual Greek festival. They are a butter-based cookie, and are hand-shaped in a variety of designs, … You are so right. I was first drawn to your website because like you I love biscotti. They turned out great and I’m looking forward to hearing what my Mum says about the photo of the Koulourakia I’ve sent her (I live in the Netherlands so she won’t get to taste them amid the restrictions due to covid19). Cookies can also be frozen. Add the eggs, one at a time beating well and scraping down the bowl between each addition. Our community in Dayton, Ohio made nearly all our food and pastries from scratch. The other 1/2 cup of flour is reserved in case we need to add extra flour. Repeat. I really perfected my skills, so much so, that my mom always put me on rolling duty when she made them for our family. God bless your mom. Other variations include what kind of liquor to add, or to add it at all. Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies which along with tsourekia are the “trademark” of Greek Orthodox Easter. But gosh the outcome was so unexpected! The menu ran the gambit from shrimp saganaki, to baked zucchini cakes, to some insanely tasty avocado, potato, garlic dippy thingy, to braised short ribs that fell off the bone. result. Delicious in fragrance, too. Add the vanilla extract, orange juice, milk and ouzo (if using). Some are traditional, some are not. This is the second time I have made your recipe of Koulourakia. I would love to hear about it in the comments! Shape into desired shapes (braids, pinwheels, twists, etc...) Refer to pictures in the post. I also sprinkle sesame seeds and include some as I am rolling the cookies. Add flour, baking soda and salt, mixing well after each addition. Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I dont have parchment paper and refuse to go to the store for 1 ingredient…will it matter? Bake cookies for 15 minutes or until cookies have a golden tint, allowing cookies to cool down for 10 minutes. I picked up this culinary trick from Michelle, the Brown Eyed Baker who picked it up from Dorie Greenspan… thank you ladies . The other 1/2 cup of flour is reserved … Once combined, the dough should be soft but not sticky. My Greek Mum, who is in now her mid 80s, emigrated to Australia in the early 60s, retained many of the traditions of the home country. Whichever shape you decide to make, start with about a heaping tablespoon of dough (note that by using a disher ie: a cookie dough scooper, your Easter cookies will all be the same size and bake evenly). No, simply grease and flour your pan… they should be fine. And if I try that, would the ration be 1:1 (in other words, in your recipe I would use 1 1/2 teaspoons baking ammonia)? My yiayia used straight-up whiskey because in the ’80s it was hard to find Greek liquor in Ohio. impressed. (Optional: cover dough with plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes). Remove to a rack and cool. They are so delicious and one of my favorite cookies. Want more cookies? Logistically, if Minoans did eat these cookies, they would have probably made them with olive oil instead of butter, sweetened with honey instead of sugar, but I digress. They will puff up and spread out. Everything was so delicious, we were literally licking our plates. In a separate bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and soda. In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. 2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp water for glazing the These cookies are flavored with vanilla, citrus (optional), and even chocolate. When you place them on your baking sheet, make sure to give them some space between one another. Place on ungreased sheet pans, brush with glaze and sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake at 350F/170C for 15-20 minutes, or until light golden and crisp. I do the braided method as I think they are so pretty. I love greek food, especially the baking!! They are fab! In this recipe, I use Metaxa, cause that’s what I have stocked in my house. Line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper; set aside. Minoans worshipped the snake, which explains the coil-like foundation of the cookie. Other Greeks use Ouzo or Tsoukoudia. It worked for me to halve the recipe … The more you mix, the tougher the cookie will be in the end.Chilling the doughChilling the dough has to important purposes: 1) It solidifies the fat in the dough, which keeps the cookies from spreading on your cookie sheet when you bake. Thanks for your interest Nicole. These koulourakia (cookies) are very fluffy, tasty and have an amazing orange flavor!! It will thicken and you will be able to work it with your … Please enjoy the recipes on this site and contact me for more information on my services. You want it to be a soft — not stiff dough — so once it starts pulling away from the sides of the mixing bowl, stop adding flour. I instantly loved these cookies as they reminded me of biscotti… and well, you know how much I love those , Up until that bridal shower party, I had never seen so many different kinds of Greek and Italian cookies together -side by side. Through the years, I have made changes to this Koulourakia recipe, as I had occasions to speak with colleagues that were of Greek origins and of course the γιαγιάs of my Greek cousins. How do your make your Koulourakia? Reply Greek Easter Cookies - Koulourakia March 22, 2018 at 10:02 am […] Koulouraki is the diminutive of koulouri. Don’t make it difficult on yourself. These need to be added one at a time and once again, scrape down that bowl. restrictions and she was able to create wonderful meals with those restrictions in mind. I’m in bed now rewriting it into my cookbook. Of course, there would be many more occasions to collect recipes as a few of my cousins married into Greek families. As many of you know, I would much prefer to have a cookie (or two) with a cup of coffee than a slice of cake. I now substitute Almond milk in place of regular milk; it works fine. What kind of whiskey did your grandmother use? I hired Chef Christina to make a special private dinner for my wife and I for my wife's birthday . Simply scroll up the post to find them. I’m sure they’re also great with some Mastiha liquor. My siblings and myself have tried to replicate hers but fail each time!!!! Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. The Healthy Greek Cookbook, my writing partner offers her recipe that uses olive oil instead of butter. This step can be done a day ahead. <<—If you add too much flour, the cookies will be tough, so stop adding it once the dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. For another delicious Greek dessert, check out my Pasta Flora recipe! Sweet Greek Personal Chef Services © Copyright 2020. These easily recognizable traditional Greek Cookies, aka Koulourakia, are often associated with Greek Easter. Christina did our seated holiday dinner and she was amazing! If you prefer, they can be shaped into circles, braided wreaths, horseshoes, letters of the alphabet, scrolled “S” -really any shape you like! I have not yet tried this recipe with baking ammonia. Thank you !!! Add the whisky, vanilla, and orange juice. I’d spend my summer break sitting among everyone else’s yiayias, my seven-year-old fingers rolling hundreds of the prized biscuits. I would highly recommend Christina to anyone looking for a special night, catering, or someone who needs a chef on a regular basis. Add the … Thanks for your interest Deb. Christina arrived on. The pic below is of grilled octopus with nectarines and arugula. Koulourakia (or Koulouria) are one of the most revered traditional Greek desserts. There is something magic about this recipe! Roasted Delicata Squash with Arugula and Aronia Berries. Koulourakia are a traditional Greek cookie, typically made the week of Easter, to be eaten after Holy Saturday. They are also great cookies to make for fund-raisers and for festivals. Koulourakia are most often associated with Easter, but I don’t think I’ve attended a holiday party in a Greek household where they didn’t make an appearance. Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. You will definitely use around 4 cups, but maybe not the full 5 cups of flour.Mixing the doughIt's also important not to overmix the dough.