https://sweetandsavorymeals.com/easter-greek-cookies-koulourakia I also like to add the zest of half an orange along with the 2 tablespoons of orange juice; why not? Top with sesame seeds (optional). What kind of whiskey did your grandmother use? If you're baking multiple cookie sheets at once, place one on the top rack and one underneath and switch half way through. All rights reserved. 1 kg all-purpose flour ( 35 oz .) Breakfast / Brunch / Recipes / Vegetarian, Entree / Greek Food / Recipes / Side Dish / Vegan / Vegetarian, cookies / Dessert / Greek Food / Recipes / Vegetarian, Appetizer / Entree / Recipes / Salad / Side Dish. This is a soft pliable dough and as a result, it can be made into different shapes and sizes. They are sold in bakeries, but they are much tastier (and less expensive) when made at home. 16g powdered baking ammonia ( 1 tbsp) 1/2 cup lukewarm milk. I am thrilled to read this! Let the mixer work the dough for 5 minutes. these look so lovely ! Preheat oven to 375°F. 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! More importantly, the food was healthy and delicious. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Total yield is about 2 dozen cookies braided in this fashion. How do your make your Koulourakia? Resting and refrigerating the dough is essential, or else you won't be able to roll out the cookies. I have read that baking ammonia is good to use in koulouraki instead of baking powder. Bake cookies for 15 minutes or until cookies have a golden tint, allowing cookies to cool down for 10 minutes. Koulourakia cookies are favorites all over Greece. Christina did our seated holiday dinner and she was amazing! Ingredients. Koulourakia were traditionally considered to be Easter cookies, since they would be eaten on Easter Sunday, following the Lenten fast. Perfect ratio and perfect taste !! Want more cookies? Happy Easter!!! We know your answer, so try these next: Chewy Almond Cookies; Italian Butter Cookies; Coffee Scroll Biscuits; Anzac Biscuits I just made these today and they are by far the best Greek Koulourakia I’ve ever had !!! 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. 5 stars all the way. You should be able to pinch off a ball of dough and roll it into a cord or thin tube. impressed. 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. Continue until all twists are formed. Add eggs and beat until blended. At that point, your dough should still be fairly sticky. Reply Greek Easter Cookies - Koulourakia March 22, 2018 at 10:02 am […] Koulouraki is the diminutive of koulouri. I will try the orange zest sometime. It’s really up to you. 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. Preheat oven to 375℉ (190℃). Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it. Thank you! 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. But, I did not have a γιαγιά… and so, as this was my first experience with Greek butter cookies… I was fascinated, to say the least! Start checking 15 minutes in. The egg wash is an important step to give the finished cookies a pretty sheen. In a bowl of a stand mixture, with the paddle attachment, whisk together the orange zest and the sugar. 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. 4 cups flour (plus 1-4 cups more if dough is sticky) 1 1/2 cup sugar. I dont have parchment paper and refuse to go to the store for 1 ingredient…will it matter? The memories you will make are sure to be priceless. I would love to hear about it in the comments! You probably won’t use the whole cup. Greek Holiday Cookies Recipe: How to Make It | Taste of Home Allrecipes has more than 10 trusted Greek cookie recipes complete with ratings, reviews and baking tips. OPTIONAL: During last minute of baking switch to broil (the tops will become slightly golden in color). Thanks!! Add the … Whisk together 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon milk and glaze cookies with a pastry brush. In a separate bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder and soda. Break off a heaping tablespoon at a time and shape into traditional “koulourakia” shapes: figure “8”; twists; braids; circles. Please enjoy the recipes on this site and contact me for more information on my services. Other Greeks use Ouzo or Tsoukoudia. In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. I'm Maria: dietitian and full time content creator. Sift together 3½ cups flour and baking powder and set aside. Thanks for your interest Nicole. Legend has it that the cookies date back to Minoan times. My siblings and myself have tried to replicate hers but fail each time!!!! Add the vanilla extract, orange juice, milk and ouzo (if using). This was our first experience hiring a private chef and we were so. 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. The hairpin and long braided koulourakia make them the perfect dunking cookies for your coffee. I hired Chef Christina to make a special private dinner for my wife and I for my wife's birthday . This in turn will create a more flavorful dough. Pick up the middle section and place it between the other two sections thereby creating a braid. I would highly recommend Christina to anyone looking for a special night, catering, or someone who needs a chef on a regular basis. 3 tablespoons vanilla extract, or if using Greek … A traditional Koulourakia recipe will actually include baking ammonia, which as you probably know is a leavening agent. I am told by my Greek friends that it is pronounced like this: koo-loo-RAH-kee-ah. The dough should be soft, but not sticky. In a small bowl beat remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water; set aside. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times. The Spruce. Your email address will not be published. She made us many delicious dishes and we highly recommend her! And if you want to bake more cookies, definitely try these recipes for Melomakarona (Greek honey walnut cookies), and Kourabiedes (powdered sugar dusted butter cookies). You can now add the rest of the liquids. She came from Kastellorizou (just off the Turkish cost) So I am hoping that someone will know the recipe and send it to me, Regards, Amelia. Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies which along with tsourekia are the “trademark” of Greek Orthodox Easter. Other variations include what kind of liquor to add, or to add it at all. FUN FACT: Did you know that the oils found in the orange zest (or any citrus fruit) will infuse the sugar when rubbed together? This step can be done a day ahead. Now she makes my dad help! See more ideas about koulourakia recipe, greek cookies, traditional easter recipes. Like I always say, there is no right or wrong recipe. https://mostly-greek.com/2019/04/19/koulourakia-greek-easter-cookies Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter for 5 minutes in a large mixing bowl. In Greece during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, […] Some are quicker to make than others. Bake in a pre-heated 350-degree oven for 15 to 25 minutes, or until golden in color. Thanks Celina! Thank you !!! They really are such a treat! 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. Pick up the top right section of the letter “T” and cross it over and place it parallel to the long middle section. She is very sweet and also very professional! Add in a shot of ouzo, frangelico or whatever liqueur takes your fancy. Delicious in fragrance, too. Add the eggs, and beat until lightly … Add the eggs, one at a time beating well and scraping down the bowl between each addition. 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. Add the egg yolk and again, beat well and scrape down the bowl. Lay a piece of parchment paper on your oven trays. There is something magic about this recipe! I’m sure they’re also great with some Mastiha liquor. Your email address will not be published. As a result of this lifelong fascination, I am always on the lookout for cookie recipes… that’s just my way! If you try this recipe, invite someone you love to make it with you. This can take up to 5 minutes. The dough is made with basic pantry staples and then twisted into all sorts of beautiful shapes. My yiayia used straight-up whiskey because in the ’80s it was hard to find Greek liquor in Ohio. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. I have not yet tried this recipe with baking ammonia. zest of 2 oranges. Repeat. I do the braided method as I think they are so pretty. In my cookbook: Opa! Add sugar and beat the mixture until it lightens in color and is creamy. In a tabletop mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy. I’m in bed now rewriting it into my cookbook. Like most Greek kids, I first started making these yummy cookies with my yiayia. For the final cup of flour, slowly spoon it into the mix. Since this Greek cookie has been around since forever, there are probably thousands of variations. 250g butter ( 8.8 oz .) 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. Remove to a rack and cool. On the night of the event, her execution was impeccable. restrictions and she was able to create wonderful meals with those restrictions in mind. For another delicious Greek dessert, check out my Pasta Flora recipe! I want to make these for my Greek neighbors, so I want them to be perfect. Greek Koulourakia Ingredients: 1 lb butter, softened. Let me know in the comments! 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. Once you taste these not too sweet, slightly crunchy on the outside and tender soft on the inside biscuits, with just a subtle hint of orange and vanilla, you will be making Koulourakia throughout the year. It’s ok. Add the cubed room temperature butter and cream together with the sugar until light and fluffy. I picked up this culinary trick from Michelle, the Brown Eyed Baker who picked it up from Dorie Greenspan… thank you ladies . These koulourakia cookies are fabulous! Christina exceeded all of our expectations! The dough will be soft and malleable but it should not be sticky. I like rolling them out a little thinner than most people do because they look a little prettier. Required fields are marked *. 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. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Christina created the perfect Christmas dinner for 14 foodies. There are as many variations of Koulourakia as there are Greek families. For a more golden topping brush with egg yolk instead of milk. Would you recommend that? Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Easter! Kali Mera! They will puff up and spread out. I use a teaspoon to measure out dough balls. To find success with this recipe, first add the cup of flour that you’ve combined with the baking soda and baking powder. time, was polite and professional, and cleaned up afterwards. Your email address will not be published. If you are like me, you are probably trying to figure out how to pronounce this word unless you are of Greek origin. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You are so right. In the meanwhile, I will share a “modern” version of this recipe which is made with baking powder. 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. https://mysweetgreek.com/recipes/koulourakia-greek-butter-cookies (Sydney Australia). Christina is a wonderful chef! Like you I grew up eating delicious Italian food and baked goods all made from scratch by my mom and my aunts. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Add sugar to the mixture and beat another 5 to 7 minutes. I think they taste great either way. 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. 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. Sweet Greek Personal Chef and Culinary Services Los Angeles, CA, Personal Chef and Culinary Services in Los Angeles, CA — Recipes, Healthy Meals, Cooking Classes. These are a lot faster to make and will yield about 3 dozen cookies. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each one. I also sprinkle sesame seeds and include some as I am rolling the 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. Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. They are so delicious and one of my favorite cookies. The dough should be soft but not sticky. Sweet Greek Personal Chef Services © Copyright 2020. weeks before (with vegan and gluten free options), she came with everything she needed and even cleaned up after. We had one vegetarian in attendance and Christina prepared her a special dish. Once you taste this cookie, you will understand why it is now made throughout the year! I have many dietary. If you prefer, they can be shaped into circles, braided wreaths, horseshoes, letters of the alphabet, scrolled “S” -really any shape you like! Yiayia Andriana was an incredible baker — a Greek pasty expert — and we’d often stop by her house in the afternoons and I would gobble down handfuls of these cookies and her powdered sugar-covered Kourambiedes while my mom visited with her and her daughters. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth, to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Line cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper; set aside. 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. It worked for me to halve the recipe … Mar 23, 2019 - Explore Connie i's board "Koulourakia recipe" on Pinterest. I was first drawn to your website because like you I love biscotti. Store in covered containers. These easily recognizable traditional Greek Cookies, aka Koulourakia, are often associated with Greek Easter. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets about 1 inch apart. Bake for 13 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. I suspect the ouzo enhanced the appeal of your recipe. 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. She kept asking me if I was going to dye eggs or make Koulourakia so I got the hint and took the plunge. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl a few times in order to properly incorporate the butter and sugar. Are you ready to roll? This is exactly the recipe I was looking for with a finely textured dough and excellent flavors with the orange zest, juice and buttery goodness. 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. Some are traditional, some are not. There are a variety of koulourakia: savory, sweet, vegan, with olive oil, with tahini but the Easter ones have […] Add the whisky, vanilla, and orange juice. I have been making Koulourakia for overf 50 years! Private Parties and Events in Los Angeles, Butternut Squash and Hazelnut Mini Phyllo Pies, 12 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature. It is always a matter of personal taste and preferences. Your email address will not be published. Roll the balls into 7-inch log shapes and form the letter “T”. From what I read, it seems like it is a 1:1 ratio. But this recipe is based on one from our dear friend in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Andriana Skinner. It will thicken and you will be able to work it with your … These Greek baked cookies resemble snowballs, but are sprinkled with a touch of cloves and pure rose water and covered in powdered sugar. I hope to share that version of this recipe in the months to come. Let’s just say I was one happy teenager . Don't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Hello and Welcome to She Loves Biscotti! Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments. Looking for Greek cookie recipes? This can take up to 5 minutes. Mine are delicious just wish mine could look like yours. https://heatherchristo.com/2011/04/15/koulourakia-greek-easter-cookies With a medium sized cookies scoop, portion and roll into a 7-inch log. Add a few tablespoons of flour if the dough is still sticky. They are a butter-based cookie, and are hand-shaped in a variety of designs, … It was pleasure having her in our home, her food was delicious and everyone was very happy! Beat in 2 of the egg yolks, one … They are also great cookies to make for fund-raisers and for festivals. As was mentioned, regardless of the shape, try to keep them the same size so that they bake evenly. Tip for greek cookies Cookies (Koulourakia) should be stored in a sealed container, doing so retains freshness. We love baking them at Christmastime along with Melomakarona and Kourabiedes. 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. 2 egg yolks and 1 tbsp water for glazing the 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)? Sesame seeds are optional. 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). He eats them all anyway. 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. Once you have scooped out your dough and formed your 7-inch log shapes, simply place in an upside-down “U” and twist together. 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. 4 medium eggs. <<—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. Combine the baking powder, baking soda, and salt with 1 cup of flour, and add it to the mixer. They are fab! Delicious Greek milk cookies (koulourakia) with soft crumb full of flavor and a beautiful golden brown colour. There were some specific menu needs that needed to be met and she was professional and easy to communicate with throughout the planning process. It doesn’t make a huge difference with the type/brand. Can't recommend her enough! To see how I made mine, watch the step-by-step sequence below! If it is sticky, add a few tablespoons of flour until you get it to that consistency. I am so sorry for your loss Amelia. 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. (I haven’t seen any authoritative documentation of this, but like the sound of it.) Fold in half and twist together. This is the second time I have made your recipe of Koulourakia. They are a great gift idea - packed in an airtight container.