Traditional Greek Koulourakia (Easter Butter Cookies)
Koulourakia are delightful, aromatic cookies traditionally enjoyed during Greek Easter celebrations. This ancient recipe, adapted from a treasured Greek community cookbook, combines rich butter with a hint of vanilla and a touch of sweetness to create a wonderfully soft and flavorful dough. These cookies can be shaped into intricate twists, rings, or simple balls, making them a versatile treat for festive gatherings. Lightly golden and slightly crisp on the outside, yet tender on the inside, Koulourakia are perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring with a cup of tea. With this recipe, you'll be able to create around 50 to 60 cookies, ensuring there's plenty to go around during your Easter festivities.
N/A
Servings
108
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
8-9 cups (Sifted)
Baking Powder
2 tablespoons (Sifted with flour)
Butter
1 lb (Softened)
Sugar
2 cups (Granulated)
Eggs
6 (Lightly beaten)
Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons (Pure)
Egg (for egg wash)
1 (Beaten with 1 tablespoon of water)
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Set this mixture aside for later use.
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3. In another bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
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4. Gradually add the beaten eggs to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition to ensure a uniform blend.
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5. Stir in the vanilla extract, blending everything smoothly.
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6. Gradually incorporate the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
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7. Dust your hands with a little flour and shape the dough into your desired forms: for twists, roll a piece of dough into a 5-inch long and ½-inch thick tube, then twist as described; for rings, shape the dough into a circle, pinching the ends together; and for balls, roll into small spheres and flatten slightly.
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8. Arrange the shaped cookies on ungreased cookie sheets, ensuring they have enough space to spread during baking.
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9. Brush each cookie with the beaten egg mixed with water for a beautiful golden finish.
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10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
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11. Once done, remove from the oven and let them cool on wire racks before serving.
Nutrition Information
5.4g
Fat
13.2g
Carbs
1.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Koulourakia?
Koulourakia are aromatic, delightful cookies traditionally enjoyed during Greek Easter celebrations, known for being lightly golden and slightly crisp on the outside yet tender on the inside.
How many cookies does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 50 to 60 cookies, making it perfect for festive gatherings.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking Koulourakia?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C) before baking.
How much flour is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 to 9 cups of flour, which should be sifted before use.
What is the preparation for the butter in this recipe?
You should use 1 lb of butter that has been softened to room temperature.
How long should I cream the butter and sugar together?
The butter and sugar should be creamed together using an electric mixer for about 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How many eggs are used in the dough mixture?
The dough mixture requires 6 lightly beaten eggs.
What flavorings are added to these cookies?
The cookies are flavored with 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
How do I prepare the egg wash for the golden finish?
The egg wash is made by beating 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water.
What shapes can I create with the Koulourakia dough?
The dough is versatile and can be shaped into intricate twists, rings, or simple balls.
How do I form the twist shape?
Roll a piece of dough into a tube 5 inches long and 1/2 inch thick, then twist it as desired.
What is the baking time for these cookies?
Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Should the cookie sheets be greased?
No, the shaped cookies should be arranged on ungreased cookie sheets.
What is the calorie count per cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 108 calories.
How much fat is in one Koulourakia cookie?
There is 5.4g of fat in each cookie.
What are the carbohydrate and protein contents?
Each cookie has 13.2g of carbohydrates and 1.8g of protein.
What should I do if the dough is too sticky to shape?
Dust your hands with a little flour before shaping the dough into forms.
How do I cool the cookies after baking?
Once removed from the oven, the cookies should be cooled on wire racks before serving.
Can these cookies be served with beverages?
Yes, they are perfect for savoring with a cup of tea.
Where does this recipe originate?
This is an ancient Greek recipe adapted from a treasured Greek community cookbook.
Is baking powder used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of baking powder are sifted together with the flour.
How do I ensure a uniform blend when adding eggs?
Gradually add the beaten eggs to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
What is the secret to a soft dough?
Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients and mix until just formed, being careful not to overmix.
How do I form the ring shape?
Shape a piece of dough into a circle and pinch the ends together.
How do I form the ball shape?
Roll the dough into small spheres and flatten them slightly.
What type of sugar is used?
The recipe specifies 2 cups of granulated sugar.
Is the vanilla used pure or imitation?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract.
Why is it important to sift the flour and baking powder?
Sifting ensures the ingredients are combined evenly and helps create a better texture in the dough.
How much space should be left between cookies on the sheet?
Ensure they have enough space to spread slightly during the baking process.
What provides the golden color on top of the cookies?
Brushing each cookie with an egg wash before baking provides a beautiful golden finish.