Cinnamon Sugar Koulourakia
- Nikki Glekas
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
I've made a version of this cookie for my show before. It's a traditional Greek Easter cookie that's usually rolled in sesame seeds. The first time I filmed this recipe for the show the cookies were pastel, which I thought were really pretty for Easter. Today I'm making a Cinnamon Sugar Koulourakia, another version of this sweet butter cookie.
These cookies have a shortbread-like consistency and the dough is easy to prepare. They're great for dunking in tea or coffee at any time of day, but my favorite time to enjoy one is after our traditional Easter meal. The nice thing about them is they can be made well in advance of Easter since their flavor only improves with time. In fact, I usually make a double batch before the holiday and store them in an airtight container for a few days so the flavor improves.
There are many ways you can adapt these, but today I chose a cinnamon sugar roll because I like how the warm spices adds flavor and texture to the dough. It's a sweet but simple twist.
If you're preparing for Easter and are looking for a great way to refresh an old favorite you'll love these cookies. Cinnamon Sugar Koulourakia are going to be a new way for you to serve and enjoy a beloved Greek dessert. Enjoy!
Cinnamon Sugar Koulourakia
These are traditional Greek cookies with a fun twist. Instead of brushing them with egg wash and using sesame seeds I’m rolling them in cinnamon sugar!
Ingredients
For the dough
1 cup (2 sticks) of room temperature butter
1 ½ cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 large eggs
½ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons baking powder
6 ½ all-purpose flour
For coating
1 cup sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until creamed and fluffy.
Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat well.
Dissolve the baking soda in the orange juice and let it bubble. With the mixer on low, add the orange juice to the bowl and mix until just combined.
With the mixer on low add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Slowly add the baking powder to the flour, then add it one cup a time to the wet ingredients, mixing well after each addition, until you have just one cup of flour left to add.
Use your hands to knead this flour into the dough until combined.
Place the dough in a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Stir together the sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.
Remove the dough from the bag and break off a 1” chunk and begin to roll out in logs about 9”-inch logs that are ½” thick. Then, fold the dough in half and twist the legs three times.
Roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place them on a baking sheet.
Once the cookie sheet is full, bake them for 20 minutes. Then remove it to a cooling rack before serving.
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.