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Koulourakia – Greek Style Cookies
Koulourakia is ‘the’ traditional delicacy of the Greek food culture. It’s great for dipping with the Greek coffee or enjoy it at anytime. There are many variations in making koulourakia but these specific ingredients are the ones passed by in family for generations – see original handwritten scratch below.
Ingredients:
- 4 sticks sweet unsalted butter
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 5 eggs(1 whole & 4 yolks only)
- 6 cups flour (approx 6-8 cups)
Directions:
- Let butter out of refrigerator for a couple of hours until soft (DO NOT melt the butter).
- Combine butter sticks and sugar in a mixing bowl and mix well with mixer.
- Add baking powder, baking soda (see note below), vanilla, four egg-yolks, and the milk and orange juice.
- Beat well with mixer.
- Start adding flour little by little while still working the mixer until mixer can’t do anymore… Time to use your hands.
- Continue working the dough with hands adding flour. The dough is done when does not stick on hands.
- Beat one whole egg in a separate bowl and keep it aside – will use it to brush the cookie top.
- Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees.
- Start making cookie shapes with the dough and place them on a lightly greased with butter cookie pan.
- Brush egg-beat on top of each cookie.
- Cook for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Note: Baker’s ammonia could substitute baking powder/soda. Baker’s ammonia makes koulourakia extra-crisp. Unlike baking powder or soda it does not leave an alkaline off-flavor.
Bon appetit!
The original Yayia’s scratch list of ingredients (click to enlarge)
