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Koulourakia
Butter cookie twists
Koulourakia: Greek Easter butter cookie twists, glazed and dunked in coffee
Easter Saturday morning in Greece smells of koulourakia: buttery cookie dough rolled into ropes, twisted into braids, coils and S-shapes, glazed with egg and baked to a deep shine. Children help shape them, and the tins last through Easter week for dunking in coffee or milk. The texture is crisp outside and tender within, with orange zest and vanilla. Common mistake: rolling the ropes too thick; anything wider than a pencil turns cakey rather than crisp. Chef's tip: chill the dough for 20 minutes before rolling and the twists keep their sharp edges in the oven.
- Total time
- 65 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
- 7 oz unsalted buttersoft
- 7 oz caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ lb plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 egg yolkbeaten with 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Beat 7 oz unsalted butter and 7 oz caster sugar for 5 minutes until pale. Beat in 2 eggs one at a time, then 1 tbsp orange zest and 2 tsp vanilla extract.
6 minStep 2: Stir ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda into ¼ cup orange juice and add it to the butter mix.
Step 3: Sift in 1 ⅓ lb plain flour and 2 tsp baking powder and mix into a soft dough that no longer sticks to your hands. Chill for 20 minutes.
20 minStep 4: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Roll 20 g pieces into pencil-thin ropes about 20 cm long; fold in half and twist, or coil into snails or S-shapes.
Step 5: Set on lined trays, brush with 1 egg yolk and sprinkle with 2 tbsp sesame seeds if using.
Step 6: Bake for 15–18 minutes, until glossy golden brown. Cool on the tray; they crisp as they cool. Keep in a tin for 2 weeks.
17 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 160 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 23 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does koulourakia take?
- About 65 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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