Koulourakia: Greek Easter Cookie
Koulourakia: Greek Easter Cookies. These are lightly sweet, crunchy on the outside and soft inside with a hint of orange.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ cup milk
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 egg yolk use the white for another recipe
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheets with baking mat or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and orange juice. Scrape sides and beat until combined.
- Add baking soda to the milk and stir to dissolve.
- Add flour and milk to the butter mixture in 3 alternating additions (add ⅓ of the flour, mix, add half of the milk, mix, then more flour, mix, etc.)
- On a floured surface roll out the dough into a long snake about ½ inch around. Cut into 6" pieces.
- Fold pieces in half and twist then place on baking sheet a few inches apart. Whisk together the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon water and brush the tops of the cookies. Top with sesame seeds if desired.
- Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until cookies are golden brown.