**Kourabiedes: A Journey Through Greek Cookie Delights**
Kourabiedes, the quintessential Greek Christmas cookies, hold a special place in the hearts of Greeks worldwide. These melt-in-your-mouth treats, often adorned with powdered sugar, are a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage.
In this comprehensive article, we present a collection of authentic kourabiedes recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences. From the classic butter-based recipe to vegan and gluten-free variations, each recipe promises a unique taste experience.
The classic recipe, a time-honored tradition, yields tender, crumbly cookies with a delicate buttery flavor. For those seeking a healthier alternative, the vegan version substitutes butter with plant-based options, resulting in equally delightful cookies.
For individuals with gluten sensitivities, the gluten-free recipe offers a delightful solution, ensuring that everyone can indulge in the joy of kourabiedes. Furthermore, we provide a step-by-step video tutorial to guide you through the process, making it easy for both experienced bakers and novices to create these delectable treats.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of Greece. Let the aroma of freshly baked kourabiedes fill your home as you celebrate the magic of the holiday season with these cherished cookies.
KOURABIEDES (GREEK BUTTER COOKIES)
I had to bake something from my heritage for school. So, I made this heavenly kourabiedes recipe. -Rebecca Sprague, St. Louis, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h
Yield about 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, beat butter and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar until blended. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour and baking powder; gradually stir into butter mixture until blended (mixture will be crumbly). , Shape heaping tablespoons of dough into crescents. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool 15 minutes., Place remaining sugar in a small bowl. Toss slightly cooled cookies in sugar; return cookies to wire rack to cool completely. , Toss cookies in sugar once more before serving. Store in an airtight container, adding any remaining confectioners' sugar to cover cookies.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 128 calories, Fat 6g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 3mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
GREEK BUTTER COOKIES (KOURABIEDES)
Traditionally baked for Christmas and Easter festivities, these buttery shortbread cookies call for a trio of classic Greek ingredients: almonds, honey, and a special liqueur made from the resin of the mastic tree.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes about 45
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together flour, almonds, confectioners' sugar, and salt into a medium bowl.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and honey on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and lemon zest. (It may not come together fully until you add flour mixture.) Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour mixture, alternating with mastiha.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough; roll into a ball. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until brown around edges, about 20 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks; let cool completely. Roll cookies in confectioners' sugar until thoroughly coated. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.
GREEK BUTTER COOKIES (KOURABIEDES)
These cookies will practically melt in your mouth. Most people make them in a crescent shape, but I like to make mine round. It makes the cookie a little smaller, thus less calories.
Provided by Greekgal
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 55 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cream butter until light and fluffy, it starts looking whitish. Mix in the 1/4 C powdered sugar and egg yolks, creaming well. Add brandy, mix in almonds.
- Sift flour, measure and sift again with baking powder. Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
- Use a teaspoon to pinch off pieces of dough the size of a walnut and shape into crescents or flatten into rounds. I roll them in my hand. Place on a ungreased baking pan. Place one whole clove in the center of each round. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes or until very lightly browned. Remove from oven and let cool on a rack for 5 minutes.
- Sift a 1/8 inch thick layer of powdered sugar over waxed paper and transfer cookies to it. Sift more sugar over the top to cover. Let stand until cool, then store in a tin. They are much much better if you can stand to wait a few days before eating them, but I never can.
GREEK COOKIES WITH CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR (KOURABIEDES)
These cookies were served at every church function and holiday meal as I was growing up. They are really lovely with a nice cup of tea. This is taken from one of my mother's favorite Greek cookbooks, "The Complete Book of Greek Cooking, The Recipe Club of St. Pauls Greek Cathedral".
Provided by diamonds4heather
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 75 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whip butter until white.
- Slowly add sugar, vanilla, and brandy.
- Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time.
- Shape cookies by rolling into balls (about the size of a meatball), then gently press your thumb into the top of the cookie and twist slightly.
- This will help flatten the cookie just a bit.
- Place cookies on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the cookies are sand colored.
- Sift confectioner's sugar onto a large sheet of wax paper.
- Upon removing cookies from oven, carefully place on sugar and sift additional sugar to cover the tops and sides of cookies.
Tips:
- Use high-quality butter. This will give your cookies a richer flavor and texture.
- Make sure your butter and sugar are at room temperature before creaming them together. This will help to create a light and fluffy dough.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour and make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough before baking. This will help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Bake the cookies until they are just golden brown around the edges. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly.
- Roll the cookies in powdered sugar while they are still warm. This will help to give them a classic Greek appearance.
Conclusion:
Kourabiedes are a delicious and festive Greek cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer them plain or decorated, these cookies are sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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