Koulourakia (Κουλουράκια): A traditional Greek cookie perfect for dunking!
When our girls were little and we returned to work after blissfully long (but not long enough!), maternity leaves, we were blessed to have them cared for by our parents. We would drop sleepy children off at their place in the morning and, after settling in to work, we would call our parents to make sure everything was okay. The morning report we received would often go something like this:
Either of our parents: She (grand-daughter # 1, 2, 3 or 4) wasn’t that hungry for breakfast. I hope she is feeling well. I’m quite worried. She only ate half her egg, two pieces of toast, a banana and she only drank one glass of milk.
Either of us: Hmmm…well, that sounds alright. She IS only 4 years old.
Either of our parents: Yes, well she has to eat, otherwise her stomach will close (this sounds much more ominous in Greek). At least she ate 9 koulourakia when she first arrived.
If you try these cookies, you will understand our girls; these koulourakia are borderline addictive. Although there are many Greek cookies, and many variations of what are collectively referred to as koulourakia, we like this recipe because it is simple, and sometimes, simple is nice. This is a traditional Easter cookie baked to help celebrate the end of lent, and the arrival of spring. These cookies are firm on the outside, but soft and almost cake-like on the inside; a substantive cookie that keeps well, especially stored in the fridge. They are perfect as a school or work snack, a late night nibble, and of course, as a pre-breakfast breakfast.
Helpful hints
How many koulourakia should you bake?
This recipe makes a LOT of koulourakia (between 120-130 depending on the size). If you don’t want to make quite so many, you can half the recipe. (NOTE (April 2021): we have actually halved the recipe for you. We have added a 2nd recipe box, making a more manageable 60-70 cookies; however we have left the original recipe as well) Permit us to suggest however, that instead of making fewer koulourakia, gather a few families and make an event out of it. Because making koulourakia takes several hours, the company and extra hands will be welcome, and it is a wonderful way to get children involved in the kitchen. At the end of your lovely time together, the families can split the cookies. You can, of course, decide to make the complete batch yourself.
How to store koulourakia
Although koulourakia can be left in a covered container at room temperature for a few days, after that you can keep any extras in the refrigerator where they will stay fresh for a long time. To keep them even fresher, for a longer period of time, you can freeze your baked koulourakia.
Best way to eat koulourakia
We think that the best way to eat koulourakia is with something to dunk them into. Whether it is Greek coffee, xeno non-Greek coffee, tea or milk, this is the perfect dunking cookie.
How to shape koulourakia
There are many ways to shape koulourakia, some traditional and others more original. Choose what you like! Encourage your kids to make whatever they think looks beautiful! Experiment! Our only advice would be to try and keep each tray of cookies similar in the size to one another, so that they bake evenly.
Koulourakia expand as they bake!
These koulourakia will get larger as they bake. For this reason, leave at least 1/2 inch of space between cookies on the cookie tray.
Pin this recipe if you like it!
This recipe for classic Greek koulourakia uses a lot of eggs! Because it makes a lot of cookies!
In the ingredient list below you will see eggs listed twice; this is not a mistake. You will use a total of 15 egg whites and 12 eggs yolks in your koulouraki dough. The remaining 3 egg yolks are used for the egg wash. This way, you waste no part of any egg. Waste is bad! We heard this often growing up…we still do.
NOTE: When you halve the recipe, you will use a total of 8 eggs (8 egg whites, and 6 egg yolks in your koulouraki dough. The remaining 2 egg yolks are used for the egg wash.) This is also explained in the Recipe box below.
How to separate eggs
Separating eggs can sometimes be difficult, and there are many different techniques for doing so. There are even egg-separating gadgets that you can buy. We find that one of the easiest ways to separate the yolks and the whites is to use your hands. Crack an egg, pour it into your hand and allow the whites to slip into a bowl between your fingers.
What kind of milk to use in this traditional Greek koulourakia recipe
Our parents make their koulourakia with 2% lactose-free milk for those of us who are lactose intolerant. However, you can also use full lactose milk, full fat milk, 1 % milk, or probably any other type of milk you have lying around. Hmmm…. we wonder what would happen if you used chocolate milk!! Try it…and let us know 🙂
Vanilla powder versus vanilla extract
Our parents usually use vanilla powder in their baking instead of vanilla extract. If you cannot find vanilla powder, simply substitute an equal amount of vanilla extract and add it to the melted vegetable shortening while it is in the mixer.
What is ammonium carbonate?
This recipe calls for ammonium carbonate. If you have never baked with ammonium carbonate, here are some things you may like to know. Ammonium carbonate is used in baking as a leavening agent, and was very popular before modern day baking powder was made available. It does have a very strong odour, which you will notice particularly when you add the milk and ammonia mixture to the melted vegetable shortening. Don’t worry, the smell will dissipate.
Ammonium carbonate versus baking powder
If you prefer not to use ammonium carbonate in these cookies, or simply can’t find it, the general rule of thumb is to substitute any quantity of ammonium carbonate with twice as much baking powder. So, in the recipe below, you would replace the 2 tablespoons of ammonium carbonate with 4 tablespoons of baking powder. You would also still add the original 4 tablespoons baking powder the recipe calls for (so, a total of 8 tablespoons baking powder). Yes…this is A LOT of baking powder, but remember…this is A LOT of cookies which are meant to puff up and be quite soft and fluffy in the center.
What is vegetable shortening? Are there substitutions?
It has also come to our attention, from one of our Australian followers, that vegetable shortening is not readily available throughout the world (at least, not in Australia). There are substitutes you can use however and we found this link which is really quite helpful. The most obvious substitution for our Aussie friends is something called copha! (Us Canadians have never heard of copha…but it appears to be very similar to what we know as vegetable shortening, and it is readily available in Australia).
Looking for more cookie recipes, try these:
Pear-shaped cookies (ahladakia)
Christmas Koulourakia with yeast
Koulourakia with orange
We love hearing from you! If you have made our recipes, or if you have a question or comment, or simply want to say Hi!, please leave a comment below!
Things you might need:
There are 2 recipe boxes below. The first one makes 60-70 cookies. The second box makes 120-130 cookies.
Koulourakia
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, separated
- 2 eggs, separated (the whites will be used for the koulouraki dough, the 2 yolks will be used for the egg wash (see below)
- 1/2 lb (227 grams) vegetable shortening
- 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (250 mL) milk
- 1 tablespoon ammonium carbonate
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
- 7 cups (1,050 grams) All-purpose flour
For the egg wash
- 2 egg yolks
- 1/2 tablespoon milk
- 1/2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Always a good idea to read the Helpful Hints, above.
- Melt the vegetable shortening in a small saucepan, or even in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat all 8 egg whites for approximately 5 minutes over medium speed. Continue to beat until they are very fluffy.
- To the egg whites, with the mixer still working, add the 6 egg yolks, a few at a time. Continue to beat for approximately 3 – 5 more minutes. Periodically, using a rubber spatula, push down any of the egg which has found its way onto the side of the mixing bowl.
- When well incorporated, pour the beaten eggs into a very large bowl. Wash out the bowl of the mixer and add the melted vegetable shortening. Beat over medium speed for about 3 minutes. Slowly add in the granulated sugar. Continue to beat well over medium speed.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan mix together the milk and the ammonium carbonate. On medium heat, stir continuously with a whisk, until the milk looks like it is going to bubble over (approximately 5 minutes). At this point, pour the milk + ammonium mixture carefully into the mixing bowl which contains the vegetable shortening and sugar. Turn off the mixer while you are making this addition. Stand back…it’s going to smell! Turn mixture back on and whisk together for another 2 – 3 minutes. To this mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup of all purpose flour. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
- In a small bowl combine the baking powder, the vanilla powder and 1/2 cup all purpose flour. Mix well.
- Now, into the large bowl where you have your eggs you will add the various combinations of ingredients. Add the flour/baking powder/vanilla powder combination. Add the vegetable shortening/sugar/milk combination. Then, add an additional 5 cups of all purpose flour
- With your hands, mix all ingredients well. You are almost massaging the ingredients together to incorporate everything. After mixing everything together add an additional 1 cup of all purpose flour. You should get to the point where you can knead the dough in the bowl.
- You may need to add 1/4 – 1/2 cup more flour if your dough is still wet. Keep in mind that the dough for the koulourakia will be sticky. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for 15 – 20 minutes. This period of rest will allow the dough to “stiffen” up a bit, making it easier to work with. If you’re not sure if you need to add more flour, bake a few as a sample, if they flatten out too much, then you need to add a little more flour, perhaps 1/4 cup-1/2 cup
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Start forming your koulourakia. Take a small piece of dough (about the size of a walnut) and roll it into a long strip. Fold this strip in half and then twist the two halves together. This makes the traditional twisted shape. Alternatively, you can make a circle with your long strip. You can also make any kind of shape you like, so long as they are all pretty much the same size. You can watch a video here.
- Prepare your egg wash by mixing together the 2 egg yolks, milk and water. Brush on top of each koulouraki.
- Bake in top third of the oven for 20 – 25 minutes (or mid rack, for 14-18 minutes) until a beautiful golden colour.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Koulourakia (large quantity)
Ingredients
- 12 eggs, separated
- 3 eggs, separated (the whites will be used for the koulourakia dough, the yolks to be used for egg wash)
- 1 pound (454 grams) vegetable shortening
- 3 cups (600 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (500 mL) milk
- 2 tbsp ammonium carbonate
- 4 tbsp baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder
- 14 cups (2,100 grams) sifted all-purpose flour
For the egg wash:
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp water
Instructions
- Always a good idea to read the Helpful Hints, above.
- Melt the vegetable shortening in a small saucepan, or even in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat all 15 egg whites for approximately 5 minutes over medium speed. Continue to beat until they are very fluffy.
- To the egg whites, with the mixer still working, add the 12 egg yolks, a few at a time. Continue to beat for approximately 3 – 5 more minutes. Periodically, using a rubber spatula, push down any of the egg which has found its way onto the side of the mixing bowl.
- When well incorporated, pour the beaten eggs into a very large bowl. Wash out the bowl of the mixer and add the melted vegetable shortening. Beat over medium speed for about 3 minutes. Slowly add in the granulated sugar. Continue to beat well over medium speed.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan mix together the milk and the ammonium carbonate. On medium heat, stir continuously with a whisk, until the milk looks like it is going to bubble over (approximately 5 minutes). At this point, pour the milk + ammonium mixture carefully into the mixing bowl which contains the vegetable shortening and sugar. Turn off the mixer while you are making this addition. Stand back…it’s going to smell! Turn mixture back on and whisk together for another 2 – 3 minutes. To this mixing bowl, add 1 cup of all purpose flour. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
- In a small bowl combine the baking powder, the vanilla powder and 1 cup all purpose flour. Mix well.
- Now, into the large bowl where you have your eggs you will add the various combinations of ingredients. Add the flour/baking powder/vanilla powder combination. Add the vegetable shortening/sugar/milk combination. Then, add an additional 11 cups of all purpose flour.
- With your hands, mix all ingredients well. You are almost massaging the ingredients together to incorporate everything. After mixing everything together add an additional 1 cup of all purpose flour. You should get to the point where you can knead the dough in the bowl.
- You may need to add 1/4 – 1/2 cup more flour if your dough is still wet. Keep in mind that the dough for the koulourakia will be sticky. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and set aside for 15 – 20 minutes. This period of rest will allow the dough to “stiffen” up a bit, making it easier to work with. If you’re not sure if you need to add more flour, bake a few as a sample, if they flatten out too much, then you need to add a little more flour, perhaps 1/4 cup-1/2 cup.
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Start forming your koulourakia. Take a small piece of dough (about the size of a walnut) and roll it into a long strip. Fold this strip in half and then twist the two halves together. This makes the traditional twisted shape. Alternatively, you can make a circle with your long strip. You can also make any kind of shape you like, so long as they are all pretty much the same size. You can watch a video here.
- Prepare your egg wash by mixing together the 3 egg yolks, milk and water. Brush on top of each koulouraki.
- Bake in top third of the oven for 20 – 25 minutes (or mid rack, for 14-18 minutes) until a beautiful golden colour. Let rest a couple of minutes on the baking pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool.
- Enjoy!
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