Koulourakia: Greek Easter Cookies with Honey
Wonderful and aromatic, these orange-flavored and honey-sweetened Greek Easter cookies by Chef Giorgos Tsoulis are the perfect treat to prepare with your children during the festive season—or on any occasion.
Ingredients
- 250 g butter at room temperature
- 130 g powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 80 ml whole milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1-2 packets of vanilla sugar)
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 egg yolk beaten with a little water, for brushing
Instructions
- In the mixer bowl, add the butter and powdered sugar. Beat on high speed with the paddle attachment for 4-5 minutes until fluffy.
- Add the eggs and mix until well combined. Then, add the milk and beat until fully absorbed.
- Add the honey and orange zest and stir well.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and vanilla to ensure even distribution.
- Once the butter mixture is fluffy, gradually add the flour mixture.
- Once the dough is soft and slightly sticky, form it into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (overnight for best results). This helps the flavors develop and makes the dough easier to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F) with convection mode (fan-assisted) if available.
- Take small balls of dough (25-30g/ ~1oz each), shape them as desired, and place them on baking trays lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly brush each cookie with the egg yolk mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Once ready, allow them to cool completely before serving.
Notes
Chef’s tip: Smaller cookies tend to have a crispier texture and a more balanced flavor. You can brush them with just egg yolk, but this will give them a deeper color.
Remember that when the cookies come out of the oven, they will be soft, and they will harden as they cool down.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!