Kourabiedes are traditional Greek walnut sugar cookies that are a staple of the holiday season. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and walnuts, and are often flavored with vanilla, orange zest, or cinnamon. Kourabiedes are typically rolled into balls and then coated in powdered sugar, giving them a snowy appearance. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to create the perfect batch of kourabiedes.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
KOURABIEDES (GREECE): WALNUT SUGAR COOKIES
These are a Greek celebration cookie - while they're most popular at Christmas, you also see them at weddings, Easter and other holidays as well. They're almost always served with a powdered sugar topping; at Christmas, it's traditional to stick a whole clove in the top to represent the gift of spices that the Three Wise Men brought to Bethlehem.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 1h50m
Yield about 2 dozen cookies
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Toast the walnuts until golden brown and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool, then chop about half of the nuts (you should have about 1/2 cup chopped). Pulse the remaining nuts in the food processor until finely ground (about 1/4 cup ground).
- Stir the flour, baking powder, salt and nuts together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In another medium bowl, beat the butter, sugar, egg yolk, brandy and vanilla extract together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture gets light and fluffy, about 10 minutes.
- At low speed, stir in the nut mixture to make a crumbly dough. Cover the bowl and set dough aside at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or coat with nonstick spray.
- With a tablespoon, scoop out 1-inch pieces of dough and roll into balls between the palms of your hands. Pinch the ends of the balls to make a football shape. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies set and start to brown, about 18 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle them lightly with the orange water. (If you don't have a brush, simply dip your fingers into the water and flick it over the cookies a few times.) Take care not to douse them, just enough for them to carry the scent of flowers.
- Put the confectioners' sugar in a bag, and add 5 to 6 of the warm cookies to it. Very gently toss the cookies to coat with sugar. Remove them from the bag and cool cookies on a rack. Repeat with remaining cookies. Serve.
- Busy baker's tips: Dough can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Baked cookies can be wrapped in plastic, then aluminum foil, for up to 2 weeks. To serve, let cookies come to room temperature before dusting with confectioners' sugar.
- Cook's Note: If you can't find orange flower water, try specialty stores or online.
- Copyright (c) 2007 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved
KOURABIEDES (GREECE): WALNUT SUGAR COOKIES
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Toast the walnuts until golden brown and fragrant, about 6 minutes. Let cool, then chop about half of the nuts (you should have about 1/2 cup chopped). Pulse the remaining nuts in the food processor until finely ground (about 1/4 cup ground). Stir the flour, baking powder, salt and nuts together in a medium bowl. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat the butter, sugar, egg yolk, brandy and vanilla extract together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture gets light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. At low speed, stir in the nut mixture to make a crumbly dough. Cover the bowl and set dough aside at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or coat with nonstick spray. With a tablespoon, scoop out 1-inch pieces of dough and roll into balls between the palms of your hands. Pinch the ends of the balls to make a football shape. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies set and start to brown, about 18 minutes. Remove cookies from the oven and immediately sprinkle them lightly with the orange water. (If you don't have a brush, simply dip your fingers into the water and flick it over the cookies a few times.) Take care not to douse them, just enough for them to carry the scent of flowers. Put the confectioners' sugar in a bag, and add 5 to 6 of the warm cookies to it. Very gently toss the cookies to coat with sugar. Remove them from the bag and cool cookies on a rack. Repeat with remaining cookies. Serve. Busy baker's tips: Dough can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Baked cookies can be wrapped in plastic, then aluminum foil, for up to 2 weeks. To serve, let cookies come to room temperature before dusting with confectioners' sugar.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your kourabiedes. Use unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and finely ground walnuts.
- Chill the dough before baking: This will help the cookies to hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
- Roll the cookies into small balls: Kourabiedes should be about 1 inch in diameter. If you make them too large, they will be difficult to roll in the powdered sugar.
- Bake the cookies until they are just set: Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly. They should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before rolling them in powdered sugar: This will help to prevent the sugar from melting.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature: Kourabiedes will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Kourabiedes are a delicious and festive Greek cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect kourabiedes that will impress your friends and family. So next time you are looking for a special treat, give kourabiedes a try. You won't be disappointed!
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