• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Dips & Sauces
    • Pies & Breads
    • Soups & Stews
    • Appetizers & Sides
    • Mains
    • Cookies & Cakes
    • Desserts
  • Diets
    • Clean Eating
    • Dairy-free
    • Gluten-free
    • Low-calorie
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Resources

Real Greek Recipes

menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
  • RESOURCES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • SHOP
    • RESOURCES
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Greek Recipes » Greek Dessert Recipes » The Authentic Greek Easter Cookies Recipe (Koulourakia Pasxalina)

    Published: Apr 12, 2017 · Updated: Apr 6, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links

    The Authentic Greek Easter Cookies Recipe (Koulourakia Pasxalina)

    49 3.3K 

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Greek Easter Cookies Recipe

    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

    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

    Greek Cookie Shape 1 (The dummy's shape)

     

    The Easter Braid Cookie

    Greek Cookie Shape 2 ( The Easter Braid Cookie )

    Greek Cookie Shape 3

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

    Greek Cookie Shape 4

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

    Greek Cookie Shape 5

    Greek Cookie Shape 5 ( The bow cookie )



     

    Dye Eggs With Onion Skins

    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-Koulourakia-Recipe

    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
    Print Pin
    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.
      Beat Eggs In Butter
    • 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.
      Cover Dough With Plastic Wrap

    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.
      Cookie Dough Piece
    • Start kneading the ball gently, to a long cord, using mostly the tips of your fingers. (about 24 cm long).
      Kneading Cookies
    • 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.
      Making Greek Easter Cookies
    • Whisk egg with water and brush each cookie.
    • Bake for about 20-25 minutes until the cookies get a nice golden brown color.
      Koulourakia Pasxalina

    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!

     

    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

    • Sesame Seed Cookies With Olive Oil (Koulourakia) Dairy-free
    • How To Dye Eggs With Onion Skins
    • Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki)
    • Semolina Cake With Yogurt & Almonds

    49 3.3K 
    « Greek Snail Shaped Cheese Pie Recipe With Feta, Yogurt And Béchamel Cream Filling
    10 Greek Recipes To Give A Vegan All The Protein And Energy He/She Needs »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathy G says

      April 21, 2019 at 11:55 am

      I wish your measurements were in cups,tsp etc. I love to make your koulouria and your tsourekia,but I can't do grams

      • Olga says

        May 09, 2019 at 5:35 pm

        You can use an online conversion table. It will take few minutes but worth it.
        Or purchase a little kitchen scale. Hope that helps!

    2. Anonymous says

      March 28, 2018 at 3:45 am

      Oh My!!! Bless you Fotini!! The best recipe ever!! Finally after all these years I eat koulourakia again!!

      • [email protected] says

        March 28, 2018 at 3:02 pm

        So happy to hear that 🙂

    3. Alina Delicious Romania says

      April 12, 2017 at 10:19 pm

      Love these, especially the 'I look very Greek' cookies. 🙂 I'm really curious about the mahleb powder, never tried it, but I just read that it kind of tastes like almonds mixed with cherries? Sound delicious!

      • [email protected] says

        April 13, 2017 at 2:43 pm

        I love mahleb. It does have a sweet flavor, I can't really describe it exactly but you have to try it.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, (or Yiasou as we say in Greece)

    I'm Fotini and cooking is my job as well as my passion. I love making healthy, homemade dishes completely from scratch + sharing them with you...

    More about me →

    Popular Greek Dishes

    • Beef Giouvetsi (Beef Orzo Pasta)
    • Authentic Greek Lemon Potatoes  (soft + mellow)
    • Walnut Baklava
    • Kaimaki Ice Cream With Mastiha
    • Greek Frozen Yogurt Recipe (+ sugar-free option)
    • Chocolate Halva With Tahini & Almonds

    see more ⮕

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE! Subscribe to our newsletter & get our top 10 Greek Recipes.

    OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE...

    →10 Greek Recipes To Give A Vegan All The Protein And Energy He/She Needs 

    →How To Make Grape Molasses (reduced grape must)

    →How To Dye Eggs With Onion Skins

    →How To Tie A Roast (easy tutorial with pictures)

    →What Is Olive Oil And Everything You'll Ever Need To Know About It

    Footer


    back to top ⬆


    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Privacy Policy
    • Shop
    • Resources

    Sign Up!

    Never miss a recipe. Subscribe to our Newsletter and get our top 10 recipes! GO →

    Join Us For More...

    facebook icon
    pinterest icon
    instagram icon
    twitter icon

    Copyright © 2021 Real Greek Recipes on the Brunch Pro Theme