KOURABIEDES: GREEK ALMOND COOKIES
Yield:
26 cookies
Ingredients
The Wet Ingredients:
- ½ pound unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coarsely ground toasted almonds
- 1-2 cups confectioners’ sugar for garnish
Optional garnish:
- cloves
Instructions
- Combine the butter, sugars, vanilla, and almond extract in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed until combined. Increase the sped to high and beat until fluffy.
- Add the egg yolks to the mixture and beat on high speed until combined.
- Combine all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl and whisk together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and beat on low speed until a dough is formed.
- Transfer the dough to a work surface lightly dusted with flour and roll out to almost ½ inch thick.
- Cut out your favorite shapes using a cookie cutter and place on baking trays lined with parchment paper.
- You can also make the traditional kourabiedes shape by rolling pieces of dough in your palms to form walnut sized balls. Press the center slightly with your index finger to form an indentation and if desired, place a clove in the center of each cookie.
- Chill the cookies in the refrigerator or freezer until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180°C.
- Bake the cookies on the center rack for 20-25 minutes or until golden all around.
- Set aside to cool.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with tea or coffee. These are also great to give as gifts!
- Make Ahead Tips:
- Roll out the cookies and cut into your favorite shapes. Set in the freezer until chilled and very firm. Store the frozen cookies in freezer bags until ready to bake. Bake in a preheated 350 °F oven until golden.
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Corrine says
I’d like to substitute pecans for almonds. Is that an option?
dimitra says
Yes, they will be delicious with pecans 🙂 Enjoy!
Serafino says
I finally got around to making these and they’re so good!!
They will definitely be in my regular baking rotation. They’re not very sweet, which I really enjoy! I haven’t been disappointed by any of your recipes yet and I don’t think I ever will. Give these a try, I’m making another double batch for Christmas.
Eugene Sedita says
Hi Dimi, I made the dough for the κουραμπιέδες αυτό το προι . The oven is heating.
🙂
Mike Tsocaris says
Dimitra’s,
I made this recipe last year for the holidays. It was well received but don’t take offense, take this off your site and put your new recipe on. The new one is like my Yai Yai’s.
I’ve made many of your recipes and watch for new ones on YouTube. Thank You for your love of Greek cooking.
Would you do a video on making prosforo? I know it would appeal to a limited audience but I know people who have struggled making it and give up. YouTube has so many videos and there are so many recipes available on line it would help a lot of people especially the young ones feel less intimidated.
Sincerely,
Mike Tsocaris
dimitra says
Thanks so much for your feedback. I too agree that my recent kourabiedes recipe is so much better than this one 🙂 This older version is the one that we sold at our bakery. These cookies were so popular that we would bake a batch every other day! So, when we closed our shop I shared most of the recipes so that our customers can continue to enjoy their favorites at home. Thanks so much for being here and have a great day!