Koulourakia (Greek Easter Cookies)

Method9 steps · about 1 hr 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Heat the oven to 350°F. Have the butter softened and the ingredients measured before mixing.

2. 2

   Step 2: Rub the finely grated zest of 1 orange into the 200 g sugar with your fingertips until fragrant.

   Uses 200 g granulated sugar · Zest of 1 orange

3. 3

   Step 3: With the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, cream the 113 g softened butter, orange sugar from step 2 and 87 ml olive oil until very pale and roughly doubled in volume, about 8–10 minutes. Then change to the paddle attachment.

   Uses Orange-scented sugar · 113 g unsalted butter, softened · 87 ml extra virgin olive oil

4. 4

   Step 4: Mix the 100 ml orange juice with ½ tsp baking soda; it will fizz. Add this to the creamed mixture from step 3 on medium speed, then mix in ½ tsp baking powder, 1 of the 2 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla. Keep the other egg for the wash. A slightly curdled appearance at this stage is normal.

   Uses Creamed butter, oil and orange sugar · 100 ml freshly squeezed orange juice · ½ tsp baking soda · ½ tsp baking powder · 1 large egg for the dough · 1 tsp vanilla extract

5. 5

   Step 5: On low speed, add flour from the 450 g supply to the batter from step 4 a little at a time. Stop as soon as the dough is soft and pliable but no longer sticky; you may not need all the flour. Set any unused flour aside.

   Uses Orange cookie batter · All-purpose flour from the 450 g supply, only as needed

6. 6

   Step 6: Line 3 rimmed baking sheets with parchment. On a clean, unfloured work surface, gently bring the dough from step 5 together into a ball. For each cookie, take about 20 g of dough and roll a rope about 17 cm long. Fold it in half and twist the two sides together. Place the cookies about 2 inches apart. Keep the remaining dough covered and repeat until it is used.

   Uses Soft cookie dough, excluding any unused flour

7. 7

   Step 7: Beat the remaining 1 egg with 1 tbsp whole milk. Brush a thin layer over the shaped cookies from step 6, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using. Discard any leftover egg wash.

   Uses Shaped cookie trays · Remaining 1 large egg for the wash · 1 tbsp whole milk · Sesame seeds, for optional topping

8. 8

   Step 8: Bake the prepared cookie trays from step 7 at 350°F for about 15–20 minutes, checking from 15 minutes. Remove when the sides and bottoms are lightly golden and the tops remain pale; the cookies will firm as they cool. If the trays do not fit comfortably, bake in separate batches with the same check for each batch.

   Check the cookie trays · 15 minUses Egg-washed cookie trays, excluding any discarded wash

9. 9

   Step 9: Leave each baked tray from step 8 to cool for 10 minutes, then move the cookies to a wire rack until completely cool. Store in an airtight container only after they have cooled.

   Cool cookies on their trays · 10 minUses Baked cookie trays