Melt-in-Your-Mouth Greek Butter Cookies (Kourabiedes)
Indulge in these delightful Greek butter cookies, known as Kourabiedes, which are renowned for their rich flavor and delicate texture that melts in your mouth. Traditionally shaped like crescents, these cookies can also be formed into charming rounds to create a bite-sized treat that’s great for sharing. Enhanced with toasted almonds and a hint of brandy, each cookie is generously dusted with powdered sugar after baking to provide a sweet contrast to their nutty flavor. These cookies get better with age, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully, making patience a virtue—though it's hard to resist them right out of the oven!
55
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet butter
1 lb (Softened to room temperature)
Powdered sugar
1/4 cup
Egg yolks
2 (Lightly beaten)
Brandy
2 tablespoons (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)
Toasted ground almonds
1 cup (Roast ground almonds for 7 minutes at 350°F until light brown; do not overbrown.)
All-purpose flour
4 1/4 cups (Sifted)
Baking powder
1 teaspoon (Sifted with flour)
Powdered sugar
1 lb (For dusting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (162°C) and prepare a baking pan by leaving it ungreased.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter using an electric mixer until it becomes light and fluffy with a whiter appearance.
3
Gradually mix in the 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and beaten egg yolks until well combined and creamy.
4
Add the brandy (or vanilla extract) and toasted ground almonds, mixing until fully incorporated.
5
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then measure and sift again to ensure it is light and airy.
6
Slowly add the dry mixture into the butter mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
7
Using a teaspoon, scoop off pieces of dough resembling the size of a walnut. Shape them gently into balls or crescents by rolling between your hands, placing them onto the prepared baking pan.
8
For a traditional touch, place a whole clove in the center of each round cookie.
9
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned on the bottom and slightly firm to the touch.
10
After baking, allow the cookies to cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a sheet of wax paper.
11
Sift a generous 1/8 inch thick layer of powdered sugar over the cookies, allowing them to be completely covered.
12
Let the cookies stand at room temperature until fully cooled, after which they can be stored in a tin. For best flavor, allow them to rest for a few days before indulging, but if you can't wait, enjoy them right away!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Kourabiedes?
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek butter cookies known for their rich flavor and delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 55 cookies.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (162°C).
How do I prepare the almonds for this recipe?
Roast ground almonds for 7 minutes at 350°F until they are light brown, taking care not to overbrown them.
Should I grease the baking pan?
No, the baking pan should be left ungreased for this recipe.
Can I substitute brandy in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute the 2 tablespoons of brandy with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
What type of butter should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of sweet butter, softened to room temperature.
How should the egg yolks be prepared?
The recipe requires 2 egg yolks that have been lightly beaten.
What is the first step in the mixing process?
The first step is to cream the softened butter using an electric mixer until it is light, fluffy, and whiter in appearance.
How much powdered sugar goes into the cookie dough?
The cookie dough itself contains 1/4 cup of powdered sugar.
What type of flour is required?
The recipe uses 4 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, which should be sifted.
How many times should the flour and baking powder be sifted?
The dry ingredients should be sifted together, measured, and then sifted again to ensure they are light and airy.
What size should each cookie be?
Each piece of dough should be approximately the size of a walnut.
What are the traditional shapes for these cookies?
They are traditionally shaped as crescents, but can also be formed into rounds.
What is the traditional decorative touch for round Kourabiedes?
A whole clove is placed in the center of each round cookie for a traditional touch.
How long should the cookies bake?
The cookies should bake for approximately 30 minutes.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
They are done when they are lightly browned on the bottom and slightly firm to the touch.
How long should the cookies cool before dusting with sugar?
Allow the cookies to cool on a rack for 5 minutes before transferring them to wax paper for dusting.
How much powdered sugar is used for dusting?
The recipe uses 1 lb of powdered sugar for the dusting process.
How thick should the powdered sugar layer be?
Sift a generous 1/8 inch thick layer of powdered sugar over the cookies.
How should the cookies be stored?
Once fully cooled, the cookies should be stored in a tin at room temperature.
Why is it recommended to let the cookies rest for a few days?
Letting them rest allows the flavors to meld beautifully, though they can be enjoyed immediately.
What gives these cookies their nutty flavor?
The nutty flavor comes from 1 cup of toasted ground almonds.
Can I use an electric mixer for the whole process?
An electric mixer is used for creaming the butter and initial mixing, but the flour is typically stirred in.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe falls under the Dessert category.
Is there any salt in this recipe?
The provided ingredient list does not include salt.
Do these cookies contain baking powder?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not defined, but the recipe makes 55 total servings.
Are Kourabiedes suitable for sharing?
Yes, especially when formed into rounds, they create bite-sized treats perfect for sharing.
What provides the sweet contrast to the nutty flavor?
The generous coating of powdered sugar provides a sweet contrast to the buttery and nutty interior.