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Koulourakia cookies in basket with half an orange and additional cookies on cooling rack in background

Greek Easter Cookies (Koulourakia)

Anne Aslanides
This traditional Greek Easter treat pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Greek
Servings 48 cookies
Calories 101 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 7 cups all purpose flour between 6-7 cups total
  • 8 oz butter salted
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon crisco
  • 4 eggs
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 1 zest of orange
  • 1.125 cup granulated sugar 1 cup + 2 tablespoons
  • 3 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Cream oil, crisco, and butter together in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract and mix.
  • Add 3 eggs one at a time, mixing between each egg.
  • Add 1 cup flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and mix together. Slowly add 5 to 5.5 more cups of flour for 6 to 6.5 cups total.
  • Break off a 1" round ball from the dough and, on a floured surface, roll the dough out to form a rope 6-8 inches long. Form the rope into your desired shape- the traditional twist first forms the rope into a U and then twists the open ends twice. Repeat.
  • Mix remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and glaze the egg wash on the shaped cookies. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Cool and enjoy!

Notes

It is better to error on the side of less flour- the dough will crack and not shape well with too much.  Ready to form dough will have enough flour to not stick to your hands and tear when pulled, but little enough that it still is shiny and leaves oil on your hands.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. It is recommended to use your preferred calculator with the actual ingredients you use for optimal accuracy.

Keyword Greek Easter
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