The Authentic Greek Easter Cookies Recipe (Koulourakia Pasxalina)

Greek Easter Cookies Recipe

Happy Easter everyone! I was really in a hurry to finish up writing this recipe while doing all the holiday cooking. So, here is the most fun to make Greek Easter cookies recipe. You knead them into any shape you like, which makes them a fun way to spend some time with the kids. (I know I really used to enjoy making them  when I was younger)

Greek Buttery Easter Cookies

Unique Flavor And Aroma

They’re so crispy when you take a bite, and then they start to melt in your mouth. They also contain an unusual aroma, that of Mahleb. Mahleb is an aromatic spice made from the seeds of a species of cherry and is also used in our traditional sweet braided bread, called “Tsoureki” which is made on Easter as well.

This comforting sweet spice is what makes me think of Easter when I smell it. Like cloves and cinnamon reminds me of Christmas.
And let’s admit it, what are Holidays worth, if it wasn’t for all this lovely food that we’re making? Can you imagine Thanksgiving without a turkey? Or Christmas without gingerbread? Not really…

Especially in Greece, we really like to grab every chance we get to have a “Glenti” (The word for a Greek party with friends and family) with lots of food.

The Traditional Greek Easter

And because Greeks are Orthodox, Easter is one of the biggest celebrations of all. For 2 whole days, this big “Glenti” takes on, in everyone’s backyard.

On the first day of “Pasha” (Easter), every household in Greece has a whole lamb on the spit. And most people have some “kokoretsi” as well. The music is on, from early in the morning, playing very old and traditional Greek songs (if you ever saw the movie my “Big fat Greek Wedding “ then you know what I’m talking about). I literally step out of the house, and the music can be heard, all around the neighborhood, coming from almost every home.

And like in every Greek celebration, big carafes of wine are on the table. And right in the center, you find a basket filled with the Greek Koulourakia (these Greek Easter cookies recipe), “Tsoureki” and red-dyed eggs. Already waiting, to treat every guest that comes to say “Xronia Polla”, in this case, it translates to “Happy Easter”.

So having started in the morning, this celebration takes place until late in the afternoon. When most, just drag themselves back to their home for a much-needed siesta.

All in all, these Greek Easter Cookies are the centerpiece of everyone's Greek Easter celebration table, and they are for a reason. They are truly scrumptious!

I also included a mini step-by-step pic-guide for the different shapes we make here in Greece.

Greek Cookie Shape 1 (The dummy's shape)

Greek Cookie Shape 2 ( The Easter Braid Cookie )

Greek Cookie Shape 3 ( The " I look very Greek" cookie)

Greek Cookie Shape 4 ( The " I look very Greek" cookie number 2 )

Greek Cookie Shape 5 ( The bow cookie )

How To Dye Eggs With Onion Skins

And if by any chance you haven't already dyed your Easter eggs, then why not give it a go and dye them naturally. Using onion skins for a non-chemical egg dye.

Greek Easter Cookies Recipe

Here's how to make Authentic Greek Easter Koulourakia. That are buttery, crumbly, and full of aromas!

4.06 from 18 votes

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Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 38

Calories: 127kcal

Ingredients

For The Cookies:

• 300 grams / 10.6 oz butter at room temperature
• 200 grams / 7 oz sugar
• 150 grams / 5.3 0z eggs
• 100 ml milk
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ orange zested
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 700 grams / 1lb + 8.6 oz all purpose flour
• 2 grams (a generous pinch) salt
• 10 grams / 0.3 baking powder
• 7 grams / 0.2 oz mahleb powder

For the egg wash:

• 1 small egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

Making the cookie dough:

• In a bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, and Mahlep powder. Set aside.
• Cut butter into small pieces and add to your mixer bowl. Cream butter with sugar over medium speed (about 5 minutes).
• Beat in the eggs one at a time.
  
• In a small bowl dissolve baking soda in milk and add to the mixture.
• Add the vanilla extract and orange zest.
• Reduce speed to slow while you add the flour mixture.
• By now you should have fluffy and soft cookie dough.
• Transfer dough to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  

Kneading the cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C / 356°F. Lay a piece of parchment paper on your oven trays.
• Take a small piece of the cookie dough. (It should be about 40 grams or 1 full tablespoon) Give it a squeeze in your hand and form a ball first.
  
• Start kneading the ball gently, to a long cord, using mostly the tips of your fingers. (about 24 cm long).
  
• Make the cookie, in any shape you like from the ones I show you in the text above. Or choose one out of your own imagination (that's the fun of it).
• Fill the trays leaving about 1 cm space between the cookies.
  
• Whisk egg with water and brush each cookie.
  
• Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the cookies get a nice golden brown color.
  

Notes

-The cooler the cookie dough the easier it will be for you to knead the cookies. Otherwise, they may crumble.

-Knead gently and evenly by using mostly the tips of your hands.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 5g

Tried this recipe?I would love to see! Mention @real_greek_recipes or tag #real_greek_recipes!

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