Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies
Celebrate the flavors of tradition with Koulourakia, the quintessential Greek Easter cookies that are as delightful to make as they are to eat. These buttery, orange-kissed delights feature a light, tender crumb and iconic twisted shapes that make them a feast for the eyes and the palate. Infused with vanilla and fragrant orange zest, they’re lightly glazed with an egg wash for a golden finish and can be topped with sesame seeds for a subtle nutty crunch. Perfect alongside a cup of coffee or tea, these festive cookies are easy to prepare, requiring just 20 minutes of prep time before baking to a beautiful golden hue. Whether you serve them at your holiday gathering or savor them as a treat year-round, Koulourakia offer a delicious way to bring a touch of Greek heritage to your kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and orange zest.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until a soft dough forms. The dough should be pliable and not sticky.
Take a small piece of dough (about the size of a walnut) and roll it into a rope about 6 inches long. Fold the rope in half and twist it to form a spiral or braid. Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water to make the egg wash. Brush the top of each cookie with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve your Koulourakia with coffee or tea, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
158 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.5 g | 10% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 42 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 44 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.7 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.8 g | ||
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 15 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 28 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
