Greek Orange Spice Cookies Recipes

GREEK EASTER ORANGE COOKIES - KOULOURAKIA PORTOKALIOU

Steps:

• Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Whisk all together and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175 C).
• In a stand mixer add the granulated sugar and olive oil and mix over medium high speed for about 2 minutes.
• Pour the orange juice, vanilla extract and orange zest and mix until incorporated.
• Change the whisk attachment to the dough hook and add the flour mixture in thirds. Mix well after every addition on low speed until an elastic dough is formed. Do not overmix.
• Remove dough from the mixer and place on a clean work surface. The dough should be oily but not sticky.
• Take a small piece of the dough and shape it into a ball using your palms. On a work surface, roll the dough ball into a log. Shape it into a round or twist cookie as shown in the photos.
• Place the shaped cookies in lined baking sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden on top and golden brown at the bottom.
• Remove from oven and let them cool for 15 minutes.
• Enjoy with a cup of Greek coffee!

GREEK ORANGE SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• In mixer, combine first 4 ingredients till combined well. Add dry ingredients. Mix till incorporated. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Reserve the rest. Chill dough for 1 hour. Shape rounded teaspoon full of dough into a small log, place on a cookie sheet and form into a crescent shape, 3/4" apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. Cool to wire racks. ICING Combine Powdered sugar and orange juice. Add more sugar if too thin, more juice if too thick. Dip each cookie into icing and sprinkle with a few reserved pecans. Allow to dry. These freeze well.

ORANGE COOKIES (KOULOURAKIA)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread walnuts in a single layer on a ungreased cookie sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even toasting. Remove from oven and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine flour baking powder, baking soda, cloves. Set aside.
• In a food processor (or blender), combine the lemon and orange zest with the sugar. Process for several minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides. You want the zest to be chopped very fine and well incorporated into the sugar. Add the walnuts and canola oil and continue processing until the walnuts have been pureed into the sugar. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Place the butter into the food processor and mix for a minute until the butter is light and fluffy. Add the sugar, zest, walnut mixture, egg and egg yolk and either brandy or juice. Process just until these ingredients are well mixed into the butter.
• Gradually add in the flour, pulsing quickly after each addition. Use as little mixing time at this point as over-processing the dough toughens the cookie. Once mixed, divide dough into two balls, wrap each ball in wax paper and place in fridge for 90 minutes or longer.
• Preheat (or reheat) oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cookie sheets with a light brush of oil or cooking spray.
• Take one ball of dough and split in half. Return half to fridge while working with the other. With the half you are working with, pinch off a ball of dough about the size of a shelled walnut. Quickly roll into a rope about 4 to 6 inches long. Ropes can be shaped into rings, horseshoes or an 'S.' Place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart. If the dough warms and becomes difficult to handle, return it to the fridge and continue working with another piece of well-chilled dough.
• Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until they are browned on the edges and just a little golden on the tops. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 2 or 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Once fully cooled, dust with powdered sugar.

GREEK HOLIDAY COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add 2 eggs; beat well. Beat in orange juice and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle., Roll dough into 1-1/4-in. balls. Shape each into a 6-in. rope; fold in half and twist twice. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. , In a small bowl, beat the remaining 2 eggs; brush over dough. Bake at 350° for 7-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove to wire racks.

GLAZED ORANGE SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and salt.
• Beat the shortening and butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until combined. Mix in the chopped almonds and orange zest. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
• Transfer the cookie dough to a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 13 inches long. Cut the dough into 3 1/2-inch rectangles using a fluted pastry wheel or sharp paring knife. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheets, and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Combine the sifted confectioners' sugar, the orange marmalade, and the orange juice and stir well. Spread the glaze on the cookies and garnish with sliced almonds, if desired.

ORANGE SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, the powdered sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs.
• Beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.
• Add the flour, orange peel, cream of tartar, baking soda, cardamom, ginger, and salt.
• Beat at low speed until a soft dough forms.
• Cover with plastic wrap.
• Chill 1-2 hours or until firm.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees while dough is chilling.
• Shape dough into 1 inch balls.
• Roll balls in granulated sugar.
• Place balls 2 inches apart on ungreased cookies sheets.
• (Optional) Flatten balls with bottom of drinking glass, wiping glass with damp cloth to prevent sticking.
• Bake for 12-13 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Let cool for 1 minute before removing from cookies sheets.
• Cool completely before storing.

ORANGE & SPICE CUTOUT COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, corn syrup and orange zest. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cloves; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half., On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough into a 9-in. square. Cut into 18 rectangles, 3x1-1/2-in. each. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are light golden. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For icing, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and enough water to reach a piping consistency. Beat on high speed with a portable mixer 10-12 minutes or on low with a stand mixer 7-10 minutes or until peaks form. Frost cookies. Using a #3 round tip, pipe designs on cookies; decorate as desired.