Best 3 Kourambiedes Greek Christmas Cookies Recipes

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Kourabiedes, the beloved Greek Christmas cookies, are a delight to both the eyes and the palate. With their delicate, crumbly texture and their dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies are a festive addition to any holiday celebration. The traditional recipe for kourambiedes calls for a combination of flour, butter, sugar, almonds, and various spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The result is a cookie that is both aromatic and flavorful, perfect for sharing with loved ones during the holiday season. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to create the perfect batch of kourambiedes, ensuring that your Christmas celebration is filled with delicious memories.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

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.

"KOURAMBIEDES" GREEK CHRISTMAS COOKIES



Kourambiethes along with Melomakarona are the most popular Christmas holiday treats. Every home has a platter (homemade or store bought)of these cookies to treat guests during the holidays. Found in sweet shops from the beginning of December til Epiphany (Jan. 6th) Due to their color also made for engagments, weddings,...

Provided by Maria *

Categories     Cookies

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 c butter
3/4 c confectioner's sugar
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp brandy
4 1/2 c sifted flour
1 c almonds, unsalted, toasted & chopped in large pieces
whole cloves (optional)
rosewater
extra confectioner's sugar for dusting baked cookies
variations: substitute ouzo for the brandy, or use orange juice to avoid using any alcohol.

Steps:

  • 1. Cream the butter until light, creamy & fluffy. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar & continue beating the mixture until smooth & well blended. Add the egg yolk & the brandy and beat until smooth.
  • 2. Add the sifted flour & chopped almonds a little at a time continue beating for about half hour or until it's firm enough to handle easily.
  • 3. With floured hands shape pieces of dough into small balls about 1 1/2 in. in diameter, flatted each one with the palm of your hand or make in crescent shape or any other shape you like by using a cookie cutter.
  • 4. Preheat oven 350F (175C) Place your kourambithes on a lined with wax paper cookie sheet. If you want stick a whole clove on top of each flatten cookie. Bake the kourambiethes for 15-20 minutes, always keeping an eye on them as oven differ and might burn. They should not brown on top.
  • 5. When done remove from oven. While still hot sprinkle them with rosewater and dust with icing sugar. Place them on a serving dish allowing to cool and dust again with icing sugar.
  • 6. Note: We usually place them on a round platter in a pyramid shape and then dust them all over. Too many cookies? The cookie dough can be divided, and the unused portion stored in the refrigerator. Wrap well in plastic wrap, and it will keep for up to two months. When ready to use, remove from refrigerator and let the dough sit for an hour. Then, beat with the mixer briefly to aerate the dough. To store: Kourabiethes will keep for several months if stored in airtight containers. Make sure there's a dusting of powdered sugar on the bottom of the container, then layer cookies as above, each layer with a covering of sugar. Wait one day after baking to cover with an airtight lid. They also keep and freeze beautifully, and when serving to others after they have been stored, just give them a fresh coat of confectioners sugar. Only one negative - you can't sneak eating one of these because of the confectioners sugar dusting you get all over yourself!"

GREEK CHRISTMAS COOKIES (KOURAMBIEDES)



Greek Christmas Cookies (Kourambiedes) image

Sorry- just posted this recipe with the wrong name, should say Kourambiedes not Melomakarana!!!! You have got to try this recipe!! Got this from a Greek friend which had been passed from her mother and grandmother. The secret is the "staxto-nero" (water in which you've boiled ash from the fireplace!) Ash from a wood burning fire...

Provided by Ann Hatzimangas

Categories     Cookies

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

500 g butter
50 g bitam (margarine)
250 g aldmonds, peeled, slightly roasted, chopped
1 tsp vanilla powder
1000 g all purpose flour (you may use less)
1/2 c caster sugar
1 1/2 pkg caster sugar for dredging
STAXTO-NERO
1/2 c water
2 Tbsp ash

Steps:

  • 1. STAXTO-NERO: Add the ash to the water, bring to the boil, let sit for five minutes, bring back to the boil, remove from the heat and strain. Use a fine strainer. The water will look dark, pour into a glass and leave for about 10 minutes, sediment will settle at the bottom of the glass, pour into a clean glass leaving the sediment, which you just throw away. Now you have staxto-nero!
  • 2. Put a little butter in a pan and add the almonds, stir continually until they are slightly toasted.
  • 3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, margarine and 1/2 cup caster sugar for about five minutes. Should be white and airy. Add toasted almonds, vanilla and staxto-nero. MIX WELL WITH A WOODEN SPOON.
  • 4. Gradually add the flour, you may use slightly less then 10000 grams, depending on the flour. Use you hands to knead it, the dough should not stick to your hands, but moist enough to be able to shape, and hold the cookie shape.
  • 5. Bake at 200 for 12-15 minutes. The cookies will still be a pale color but are ready when they start to slightly brown around the edges.
  • 6. While you're waiting for the cookies to bake, get your tray ready. Sift plenty of caster sugar covering the whole tray. remove the cookies from the oven and while still hot arrange in lines on the tray and immediately dredge lots of caster sugar on top. It's best to leave them overnight and dredge again next day. In my house that wasn't possible, kids ate them right away!! The cookies can be stored in an air-tight container for several days. Good luck with that!

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will directly impact the taste of your cookies. Use real butter, pure vanilla extract, and finely ground almonds.
  • Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.
  • Roll the cookies into small balls: The cookies should be about 1 inch in diameter. If they are too large, they will be difficult to handle and may fall apart.
  • Bake the cookies until they are golden brown: The cookies should be baked for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
  • Dust the cookies with powdered sugar: Once the cookies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar. This will give them a classic Greek Christmas cookie look.

Conclusion:

Kourambiedes are a delicious and festive Greek Christmas cookie. They are made with simple ingredients and are easy to make. With a little planning and effort, you can make these cookies at home and enjoy them with your family and friends. These cookies are perfect for gift-giving or for enjoying at home during the holiday season.

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