Loulla’s Korabiethes
KOURABIETHES
(Celebration shortbread biscuits)
Κουραμπιέδες
Loulla’s recipes
The name Kourabiethes is a Turkish world “ kurabiye”and it means biscuit! Shortbreads are not just for Christmas but could you imagine Greek Christmas without them? Well traditionally ‘Kourabiethes’ used to be made only for Christmas and New Year, and the table is not complete unless the kourabiethes are on show! Today they are made all year round and on all special occasions Easter, weddings, engagements name dates and birthdays. Wrapped in cellophane with a pretty ribbon they make excellent favours or gifts. The shape of the biscuits can be varied from rectangular to round, half-moon or star shapes, also some housewife’s like to use Trex or Spy but I don’t, I like to use butter. My mother spent a whole week with her friends making them for my wedding as we were expecting one thousand guests. She was covered from head to toe in icing sugar and so was her carpet and Tiger our cat! Bless her ????
Makes 18-20
1 x 250g (9oz) unsalted butter, soften
100g (4oz) icing or caster sugar
1 egg yolk optional
4 tbsp. ouzo or brandy
few drops of vanilla extract
100g (4oz) toasted almonds, coarsely chopped
50g (2oz) ground almonds
50g (2oz) corn flour
400g (14oz) plain fine flour, sifted
1 tsp. of baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
To decorate
Rosewater for brushing or spraying optional
Icing sugar
Method
Pre-heat the oven 170c/325f Gas mark3.
Toast the almonds in the oven for 10-15minutes, cool and coarsely chopped.
In a medium sized bowl, or a food mixer, cream the butter for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy, add the sugar and whisk for another few minutes, then and the egg yok if you are using it, vanilla, ouzo or brandy.
(Do not use the whisk again)
Using a wooden spoon start mixing gently the sifted flour, a bit at a time, cornflour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Mixing gently with your hand add the ground almonds, chopped nuts and mix lightly (avoid working the dough too much, it will make the shortbread tough) until the dough is smooth and firm and doesn’t stick on your hands. Leave the mixture to rest for 15-30 minutes.
Take walnut or tangerine sized pieces of the dough, shape into rounds or oblongs, I like oblongs shapes. Place on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper not too close together, as they will expand during baking. Bake in the for 25 minutes (do not allow the biscuits to brown, they should be light)
Remove the shortbread biscuits from the oven, cool for 5 minutes, and while still warm brush or spray them with rosewater.
Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and carefully take the biscuits one at a time, and coat them completely with the icing sugar. Place them on grease proof paper and sift with more icing sugar to completely cover them. When cooled store in airtight containers, the flavour will improve after a few days. They can be stored in this way for up to a month.
NB For star shapes or moon shapes roll out the dough to 6cm (¼ inch) and cut accordingly.
Also you could add Christmas red-paste food colouring or Wilton jell in the shortbread mixture to make them more festive for Christmas. Dilute 1- 2 tsp of red-paste with 1tsp of white cider vinegar then you added to the mixture before you add the flour. (You could get from baking supply shops) Loullass recipes
Πασχαλινά Κουλουράκια Greek Easter biscuits 
Online virtual and in person cooking classes Melbourne and worlwide
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The Hellenic Odyssey can help bring your team or group together, it can provide a reward for hard work or act as a thank you to a special group of clients. Whatever the reason for the celebration, birthday party, Christmas party, end of year celebrations or team building, we provide a warm, casual and friendly environment for your special event.
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Yiayia's Famous Cookie Recipe
Yiayia, the Spartan Grandma, by way of Kardamyla, Chios, gives away her secret cookie recipe. These cookies are good for any time and any occasion. It is the ultimate all-purpose cookie. They even stay fresh for 3-months! Great for Christmas.
See her impassioned cookie self-testimonial:
Also visit Yiayia wisdom where she expounds timeless wisdom for all ages:
26 Melomacarona - Greek Honey/Walnut Cookies
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KOULOURAKIA COOKIES: A Greek Holiday Cookie Recipe #koulourakia #greek
Thuy's New Thing For the Week was to learn how to make Greek holiday cookies (koulourakia)! Can you guess all the different shapes you can mold them into??
Here are the #ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 1/4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
- sesame seeds
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Sesame Cookies Recipe - کلوچه کنجدی
These delicious sesame seed cookies are very easy to prepare and bake, and they make an excellent snack for any occasion.
What You'll Need:
1 cup sesame seed
2 cups flour (all-purpose)
1/2 cup sugar (granulated)
1/2 cup oil or butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1 egg