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+ servings
Braid shaped cookies on a wire cooling rack.
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Easy Koulourakia - Greek Easter Cookies

Fluffy and crunchy with a sweet citrus burst, Koulourakia are a beloved family favourite treasured by generations. These Greek Easter cookies are so easy to make, with traditional shapes and modern tweaks to make them your own.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 20 cookies
Calories 164kcal
Cost $5

Ingredients

Optional Toppings:

Instructions

  • Cream the softened butter and sugar in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon, or use an electric beater on medium high until smooth and creamy. Add the orange zest and vanilla essence and optional sumac, stir until combined.
    150 g butter, 150 g sugar, 1 tsp vanilla essence, 1-2 tbsp orange zest, 1 tsp sumac
  • Crack in the eggs and mix through (or blend on low) until evenly incorporated. Add 1 cup of self raising flour and stir through until evenly mixed. Continue adding the remaining flour a bit at a time until the dough is soft but not too sticky.
    2 eggs, 450 g self raising flour
  • Transfer dough onto to a clean surface and knead with your hands for a few minutes until smooth and even. Cover with cling film and rest in the fridge for 20 mins.
  • Preheat your oven to 180˚C / 360˚F.
  • Take a small handful of dough and form into a ball with your hands, then roll out into a thin strip around 15 cm long x 1.5 cm wide. Twist into braids, roll up into spirals or 'S' shapes, or form them into any shape your heart desires! See our recipe video for a step by step guide to rolling each shape.
  • Transfer cookies on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Brush with milk and garnish with things like sesame seeds, almond slivers, icing sugar and sprinkles you want to use. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, then transfer to a cooling rack.
    1 tbsp milk, 2 tsp icing sugar / powdered sugar, 2 tsp white sesame seeds, 2 tsp almond slivers, 2 tsp sprinkles

Video

Notes

  • Dough - If the dough becomes too dry to work with, add a little more softened butter or milk. If it's too sticky (especially if you're making them on a hot humid day) add a little more flour. If you're still unsure, watch the recipe video to see the texture you're looking for.
  • Resting Time - Resting the dough in the fridge will make it easier to work with and form into shapes, and also stop the heat from your hands melting the dough as you work with it.
  • Leave Space - Make sure there's a gap of at least 2-3 cm / 1 inch space around each cookie when placing them on the baking tray, as they will expand while baking.
  • Dunk in Tea or Coffee - It's a match made in heaven!
  • Give as Gifts - Make up a big batch to gift to family and friends.
  • Lazy Shapes - Plain or 'Spirals' - If it's too hard to shape your koulourakia, just make a regular flat cookie circle. Leave them plain or use two different-sized jars to gently press circles (aka 'spirals') on top. Check out our coffee scrolls biscuits to see this in action!
  • Citrus Alternatives - Swap the orange zest for lemon or lime. Or add a teaspoon of sumac (a powdered spice made from dried Middle Eastern berries) for even more tart citrus flavour.
  • Non-Citrus Flavour - Swap the citrus for cinnamon or pumpkin spice.
  • Creative Garnishes - Traditionally, Koulourakia cookies are brushed with beaten egg for a crispy golden shine. But if you're looking to amp things up, you might like to try adding:
    • Icing Sugar - Try just a light sprinkling or dust liberally for extra sweetness.
    • Sesame Seeds - a hint of savoury deliciousness.
    • Sliced Almonds - Nutty goodness and extra crunch.
    • Sprinkles - Lots of colour and fun, especially for little ones.
    • Extra Golden - Brush egg yolk instead of milk.
  • Koulourakia Methismena - Add in a shot of ouzo, frangelico or any of your favourite liqueurs for extra flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 214IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg