Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies
Delight in the buttery, crumbly goodness of Koulourakia, the beloved Greek sesame twist cookies that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfectly golden and boasting a signature spiral shape, these traditional treats are flavored with fragrant vanilla and zesty orange for a subtle sweetness that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea. Their tender texture comes from a classic combination of unsalted butter and eggs, while a light egg wash and sprinkle of sesame seeds give them a satisfyingly crisp finish. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes with simple pantry staples, this recipe yields an impressive 40 cookies, making it ideal for holiday gatherings, Easter celebrations, or everyday snacking. These iconic Greek biscuits are sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon water
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 an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 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, mixing on low speed. As the dough becomes stiff, switch to kneading by hand until the dough is smooth and pliable, but not sticky.
Pinch off a small piece of dough (about the size of a walnut) and roll it into a thin rope, roughly 6–7 inches long.
Fold the rope in half and twist the two strands together, forming a spiral shape. Place the twisted cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the cookies with the mixture.
Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the cookies.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the cookies are light golden in color.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4801 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 231.7 g | 297% | |
| Saturated Fat | 131.5 g | 658% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1262 mg | 421% | |
| Sodium | 1878 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 590.1 g | 215% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.0 g | 61% | |
| Total Sugars | 205.0 g | ||
| Protein | 81.2 g | 162% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.8 mcg | 34% | |
| Calcium | 274 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 23.5 mg | 131% | |
| Potassium | 846 mg | 18% | |
*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.
