Orange Cookies Koulourakia 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!

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.

IRENE'S SWEET KOULOURAKIA

Steps:

• All the ingredients should be at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter for 5 minutes in a large mixing bowl. Add sugar to the mixture and beat another 5 to 7 minutes. Add eggs and beat until blended. Add the orange juice and the vanilla extract.
• In a large bowl combine the baking powder and baking soda with about 1 cup of flour and stir in the egg mixture slowly. Add the remaining cups of flour gradually. The dough is ready when it leaves the sides of your mixing bowl completely. The dough is soft and pliable.
• Using a Swedish meatball scoop, begin cutting balls out of the dough. Roll out the dough balls in long rope like portions, fold over in half and twist. Place the cookies on a greased baking pan.
• Beat the 2 eggs in a small bowl to make the glaze. Brush the cookies on the pan with the glaze and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown.

KOULOURAKIA (GREEK SESAME TWIST COOKIES)

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease a cookie sheet/s.
• In a bowl using an electric mixer beat 1/2 cup butter, 6 tablespoons butter, oil and orange zest until very well blended (about 4 minutes).
• Add in 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, egg and vanilla; beat until blended (about 2 minutes).
• In another bowl mix the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add into the creamed ingredients alternately with the orange juice.
• Divide the dough into six balls.
• Roll out one piece of dough on a lightly floured surface into about a 15-inch long rope.
• Fold rope lengthwise in half.
• Twist folded rope 4-5 times.
• Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Brush the cookies with egg glaze and then sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Cool completely before storing.