Indulge in the delightful tradition of Greek baking with this authentic Koulourakia recipe, a timeless favorite for Easter celebrations and beyond. These buttery, twisted cookies are irresistibly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with a hint of fragrant vanilla and optional citrusy orange zest for a subtle burst of flavor. Made with simple pantry staples like flour, sugar, and eggs, these hand-shaped delights are brushed with an egg wash for a gorgeous golden finish. Perfectly paired with coffee or tea, Koulourakia are ideal for entertaining or as a sweet everyday treat. With an easy-to-follow recipe yielding up to 40 cookies, this is your chance to bring a slice of Greek heritage to your kitchen today!
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two large baking trays with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pour in the milk and mix briefly until incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and orange zest (if using).
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft, pliable dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Lightly flour a clean surface and take small portions of the dough. Roll each portion into a log approximately 15 cm (6 inches) long and about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick.
Shape the log into your desired pattern, such as a twist, braid, or spiral, and place it on the prepared baking tray. Repeat for the remaining dough, spacing the cookies slightly apart.
In a small bowl, prepare the egg wash by whisking the egg yolk with water. Lightly brush the surface of each cookie with the egg wash to give them a glossy finish during baking.
Bake the Koulourakia in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Serving size | (1197.5g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4599.0 |
Total Fat 222.2g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 122.8g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
Cholesterol 1256.9mg | 0% |
Sodium 1184.7mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 593.0g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 14.2g | 0% |
Total Sugars 206.3g | |
Protein 77.0g | 0% |
Vitamin D 168.2IU | 0% |
Calcium 306.8mg | 0% |
Iron 26.3mg | 0% |
Potassium 938.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories