Golden Greek Butter Cookies: Kourabiedes Recipe

Kourabiedes (Greek Cookies) Recipe

🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 1 hour
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Description:

Kourabiedes, these delightful Greek cookies, hold a legacy passed down through generations. Originating from my Greek grandfather, they symbolize good fortune and are cherished in Greek culture, often gracing tables at weddings, baptisms, and joyous celebrations.

Recipe Category:

Dessert

Keywords:

Cookie & Brownie, Greek, European, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sweet butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
• 1 tablespoon anisette
• 4 cups flour (plus extra if needed)

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 153.2
• Fat Content: 7.9g
• Saturated Fat Content: 4.9g
• Cholesterol Content: 24.3mg
• Sodium Content: 1.5mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 19.9g
• Fiber Content: 0.3g
• Sugar Content: 11.7g
• Protein Content: 1.2g

Yield:

Makes approximately 48 cookies

Instructions:

1. Melt Butter:

   • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sweet butter, stirring occasionally until it comes to a boil.

2. Remove Foam:

   • Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and allow it to stand until foam forms on top.

3. Strain Butter:

   • Use a spoon to carefully remove the foam from the top of the melted butter.
   • Gently pour the clarified butter into a separate bowl, leaving any sediment in the saucepan.

4. Chill Butter:

   • Place the bowl of clarified butter in the refrigerator until it firms up, ensuring it’s not too hard.

5. Cream Butter:

   • Once the butter is firm but still pliable, beat it until it becomes very light and creamy.

6. Add Ingredients:

   • To the creamy butter, add 1 cup of powdered sugar, egg yolk, and anisette.
   • Continue beating the mixture until well combined.

7. Incorporate Flour:

   • Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, while continuing to beat the mixture.
   • For the last cup of flour, knead it into the dough by hand until fully incorporated.
   • The dough should be soft but not sticky. If needed, add extra flour a little at a time until you achieve the right consistency.

8. Shape Cookies:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.

9. Bake:

   • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are set but not browned.

10. Coat with Sugar:

    • While the cookies are still warm, sift half of the powdered sugar onto a large sheet of waxed paper.
    • Place each warm cookie on the sugar and sift the remaining powdered sugar over the tops and sides of the cookies, ensuring they are generously coated.

11. Cool:

    • Allow the cookies to cool thoroughly before serving.

Enjoy these traditional Greek cookies as a sweet treat or share them as a token of good luck at your next celebration!