Kourabiedes (Greek Almond Butter Cookies with Powdered Sugar)
Local name: Κουραμπιέδες
In short: Crumbly Greek butter cookies with toasted almonds, baked pale and buried in powdered sugar, a Christmas and wedding favorite. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 30 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 30
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 175 kcal
Kourabiedes are Greek butter cookies, short and crumbly, with toasted almonds and a thick coat of powdered sugar. They are made for Christmas, weddings and name days, and at Christmas a whole clove is often pressed into the top of each. The key is to beat the butter for several minutes until it is white and fluffy. They melt on the tongue.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Toast the almonds on a tray for 8 minutes until golden, then cool and chop finely. Line two baking trays with parchment.
- Beat the butter for 8 to 10 minutes until very pale and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and beat for 3 minutes more, then beat in the egg yolk, brandy and vanilla.
- Mix the flour and baking powder and fold them into the butter with the almonds, to make a soft dough. Add a spoon more flour only if it is very sticky.
- Shape pieces of about 30 g (1 oz) into balls or crescents and set them on the trays. Press a clove into the top of each, if you like.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the bottoms are pale golden and the tops are barely colored. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
- Sift half the powdered sugar over the warm cookies, with a light sprinkle of orange blossom water. When cool, sift on the remaining sugar generously. Remove cloves before eating.
Tips
- Beating the butter for a long time is what makes the cookies light and melting, so do not shorten it.
- Let the cookies firm up on the tray before moving them, since they are very fragile when hot. Layer them with parchment in a tin.
Questions and answers
Why do kourabiedes crumble?
They are meant to be crumbly and melt in the mouth. If they fall apart on the tray, let them firm up for 5 minutes before moving.
How long do kourabiedes keep?
In an airtight tin they keep 3 weeks. Freeze baked cookies without the sugar for 2 months and dust them after thawing.
Can I use other nuts?
Yes. Walnuts or hazelnuts work. Toast and chop them finely, as you would the almonds.
How long does it take to make Kourabiedes (Greek Almond Butter Cookies with Powdered Sugar)?
About 1 h in total: 40 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kourabiedes (Greek Almond Butter Cookies with Powdered Sugar)?
About 175 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 175 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
