Best 9 Kourambiathes Greek Cookies Recipes

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Kourabiedes, also known as kourabiethes, are delightful Greek shortbread cookies traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season. These delectable treats boast a melt-in-your-mouth texture, delicate flavor, and an iconic dusting of powdered sugar. Originating from the beautiful isle of Naxos, kourabiedes have captivated taste buds across Greece and beyond. Join us as we embark on a culinary journey to discover the secrets behind crafting these delectable treats, exploring variations and tips to ensure your kourabiedes turn out perfect every time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

KOURAMBIETHES



Kourambiethes image

My daughter-in-law gave me this recipe. Her grandmother was born in Greece and bakes these cookies for special occasions, including Christmas.-Carol Dale, Greenville, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 5 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup blanched almonds
2 cups butter, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
3 tablespoons whiskey or orange juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Place almonds in an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, 5-10 minutes, stirring several times. When cool, process in a food processor until finely chopped; set aside. , In a large bowl, cream butter and 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, whiskey or juice and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and reserved almonds; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into 3-in. logs. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; shape into crescents. Bake at 350° until set and bottoms are lightly browned, 14-18 minutes. , Carefully roll warm cookies in remaining confectioners' sugar. Cool on wire racks. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 128 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 51mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

KOURAMBIETHES



Kourambiethes image

Kourambiethes are wonderful Greek cookies covered in powdered sugar. These cookies are favored by many and are great with coffee, tea, or by themselves!

Provided by Carroll Pellegrinelli

Categories     Brunch     Dessert     Snack

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups unsalted butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 jigger/3 tablespoons Brandy
4 1/2 cups flour
Optional: whole cloves
Garnish: powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and brandy.
  • Gradually only add enough flour to make a soft dough. Chill.
  • Shape dough into crescents or 1 1/2 inch balls. (If using cloves, place one in each cookie before baking.)
  • Place on ungreased sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. They won't be brown.
  • Cool for 4 to 5 minutes and then sift powdered sugar over them.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 981 kcal, Carbohydrate 88 g, Cholesterol 224 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 39 g, Sodium 24 mg, Sugar 16 g, Fat 64 g, ServingSize 6 dozen (6 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

KOURABIETHES - GREEK BUTTER COOKIES



KOURABIETHES - GREEK BUTTER COOKIES image

A recipe I found on Whippedtheblog.com. Here is what is stated about the cookies: "These Greek little balls of heaven are a Christmas special. My husband who is half Greek makes them every year. In the bakeries of Greece, the Kourabiethes are piled up high and deep and look like a mound of little snowballs. My trusty, old-school Greek cookbook reads, "Kourabiethes are the national cookies of the Greeks for Christmas and New Year's Day."

Provided by diner524

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 30-40 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon brandy
2 1/2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup almonds, toasted and chopped
additional confectioners' sugar, for dusting (or coating or topping)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter and 1 cup sugar until very light and fluffy. stir in egg yolk and brandy. Mix sifted flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Mix in the flour and baking powder a little at a time until dough no longer sticks to your fingers. If you are adding the almonds, chop them up into fine pieces. Mix them in while mixing in flour, accomodating for the extra ingredient and not letting the cookies get too dry. Knead well until dough is smooth and can easily be rolled into balls. Take small pieces of dough and shape into balls or small crescents. Place on parchment paper on a baking sheet or on a lightly greased sheet. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until very light brown. While still warm, brush very lightly with orange flower or rose water. Roll in confectioner's sugar and set on a tray or plate. Use the remaining sugar to sift over top until well covered.

GREEK CHRISTMAS COOKIES (KOURAMBIEDES)



Greek Christmas Cookies (Kourambiedes) image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Categories     dessert

Time 1h20m

Yield 3 1/2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 sticks unsalted butter, soft
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup powdered sugar, plus additional for coating
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
About 45 whole cloves

Steps:

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the butter and salt and whip until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sugar, egg, brandy, and vanilla and beat until all of the ingredients are integrated. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add sifted flour to the butter mixture. Using a rubber spatula, remove the dough and transfer it onto a piece of waxed paper or parchment. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes before rolling.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • After the dough has cooled, pinch off small pieces and roll them into about 1-inch balls. Place them in a single layer with space in between each, on a greased baking sheet. Repeat the process until all of the cookie dough has been rolled. Place a clove in the center of each cookie. Alternatively, shape the ball into half moons with a clove in the center of each.
  • Place the sheets in the oven and bake until the cookies are just slightly brown, about 15 minutes. Allow them to cool thoroughly, and then roll them in powdered sugar.

KOURAMBIATHES (GREEK COOKIES)



Kourambiathes (Greek Cookies) image

A traditional Greek shortbread cookie. Adds a good flavor to any holiday!

Provided by Becky Marti

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup butter, room temperature
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons anise extract
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
  • In a medium bowl, cream the butter, egg yolk and anise extract until light. Stir in the 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and flour until blended.
  • Shape dough into crescents and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake in preheated oven just until bottoms and edges begin to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Dust heavily with confectioners' sugar before they are completely cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 194.4 calories, Carbohydrate 19.3 g, Cholesterol 43.3 mg, Fat 12 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 82.7 mg, Sugar 4.4 g

KOURAMBIETHES



Kourambiethes image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield about 3 1/2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound cold unsalted butter, cut into large pieces
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus extra for dusting
2 tablespoons brandy
4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Beat butter for 10 minutes with electric mixer until very light and creamy. Beat the egg yolks and vanilla in a separate bowl until lemon-colored, 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup sugar and beat for 10 minutes. Add egg mixture to butter and add brandy and the flour, a little bit at a time, until dough is soft.
  • Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into small crescents or balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until very lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheets. Sprinkle liberally with sifted confectioners' sugar while the cookies are still warm. Continue to cool to room temperature.
  • Cook's Note: If the dough gets too warm and sticky while rolling the balls, re-chill it before continuing.

KOURAMBIEDES (A GREEK CHRISTMAS COOKIE)



Kourambiedes (A Greek Christmas Cookie) image

Basically a Greek butterball cookie recipe. These, with Melomakarona, are found in every Greek home during the Christmas Holidays. I go through phases. One year, or for a couple of years, these are my favourites, then Melomakarona are, and I keep switching back and forth. They're both wonderful! These keep wonderfully, long after Christmas is over, if any are left.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Dessert

Time 30m

Yield 30-40 cookies, 30-40 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups butter, at room temperature or 450 g butter
1 cup icing sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon brandy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 -4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups almonds, chopped and roasted
orange flower water (available in many ethnic groceries) or ouzo
extra icing sugar, for rolling the cookies in

Steps:

  • Cream the butter and sugar in a mixer for 15 minutes, until it begins to turn white. Mix in the baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Add the egg yolks, the brandy, vanilla extract, and gradually add the flour, until you have a dough that is neither too soft nor too firm (you may need to add slightly more than the amount I've written); stir in the almonds.
  • Let the dough stand for an hour at room temperature, covered with a clean dish towel.
  • Next, with small amounts (about 1 1/2 teaspoons of dough), shape small rounds by gently rolling the dough around between the palms of your hands.
  • Arrange the round cookies on a buttered pan and flatten ever so slightly on top with your hand.
  • Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes.
  • Immediately upon removing the kourambiedes from the oven, sprinkle them with rose water (or orange water or ouzo. I do this by putting a small amount of the liquid in a bowl, wetting my fingertips, and shaking the droplets over the hot cookies a few times. The scented water or ouzo gives the cookies a very delicate fragrance).
  • Roll the hot cookies in icing sugar to cover and let cool.
  • When cool, arrange on a pretty holiday platter, sieving more icing sugar between the cookie layers to give a snowdrift effect.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 215.8, Fat 16.3, SaturatedFat 8.2, Cholesterol 43.6, Sodium 184.7, Carbohydrate 15.1, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 4.3, Protein 3

KOURABIEDES (GREEK BUTTER COOKIES)



Kourabiedes (Greek Butter Cookies) image

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

1 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

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 (KOURAMBIEDES)



Greek Butter Cookies (Kourambiedes) image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Categories     dessert

Time 50m

Yield About 60 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound unsalted butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
1 pound flour, sifted
Additional confectioners' sugar for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric mixer, whip the butter until creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, baking powder, sugar and nuts. Mix thoroughly.
  • Add the flour until the dough becomes too stiff to beat with a mixer. By hand, add flour and knead until dough is smooth and rolls off your fingers without sticking.
  • Roll the dough out by hand into a cylinder roughly one inch in diameter and eight inches long. Cut diagonally into one-and-a-half-inch pieces. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown. Let the cookies cool and sprinkle them generously with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 85, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 14 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly affect the taste of your kourabiedes. Use unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and finely ground nuts.
  • Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough will help it hold its shape better and prevent it from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Roll the dough out evenly: When rolling out the dough, try to keep it an even thickness throughout. This will help the cookies bake evenly.
  • Bake the cookies until they are golden brown: The cookies should be baked until they are golden brown on the bottom and the edges. This will ensure that they are cooked through but still soft and chewy.
  • Dust the cookies with powdered sugar: Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar. This will give them a classic kourabiedes look and add a bit of sweetness.

Conclusion:

Kourabiedes are a delicious and festive Greek cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With their buttery, nutty flavor and delicate texture, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give kourabiedes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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