Koulourakia (Greek Sesame Twist Cookies)
cucina di mammina
Photo by James Ransom
- Serves
- 28 to 34 cookies
A traditional Greek cookie recipe given to my Mammina Loreta when she immigrated to New York from Italia. Her newfound Greek friend made her and my Papa Pierino these cookies to welcome them to their new home... This generational recipe has become a beloved one in our famiglia for years.
Ingredients
Cookie dough
- 14 tablespoon organic unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoon or so fresh orange zest
- 1 scant cup + 1 tablespoon organic sugar
- 1 large organic egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoon Rémy Martin XO Cognac
- 4 cup unbleached flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- White or black sesame seeds
Egg wash
- 1 large organic egg
- 1 tablespoon Rémy Martin XO cognac
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I really liked these cookies—not very sweet, and there's a really nice taste from the Cognac. She is right to warn you to not overbake. 11 minutes was perfect. They are still soft when they come out of the oven, and then they finish cooking on the sheet (and be careful not to remove them from the cookie sheets until they're cool, or they'll break). I asked my Greek friend and she said these are traditionally eaten in the morning or afternoon with coffee. They are definitely the perfect pair!
Directions
Instructions
- Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease two large cookie sheets and set aside.
- Step 2
In your large mixer bowl, combine the butter, oil, and orange zest. Blend until well combined and creamy.
- Step 3
Add in the scant cup and tablespoon of sugar; blend until well mixed. Now add in the egg, vanilla, and Cognac and continue to combine until mixed through and very creamy.
- Step 4
Slowly begin adding the flour one cup at a time, mixing each time until all ingredients are combined.
- Step 5
When all the flour is added, blend in the orange juice, baking powder, and baking soda until a smooth, creamy dough forms. The dough will be soft, somewhat sticky, and will hold together well.
- Step 6
Begin to shape the cookies by taking about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the dough and rolling it into a log shape about a 1/2-inch or so thick.
- Step 7
Note: If the dough sticks to your hands; rub a bit of olive oil on your hands before rolling. Form an upside down “U” shape with the rolled log then braid or twist the "arms" to the end and press lightly to seal.
- Step 8
Place on the greased cookie sheet and continue rolling and twisting until the first tray is full (place the cookies about an 1 inch or so apart as they do increase in size while baking.)
- Step 9
In a small cup, whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon of Cognac together until blended. Using a pastry brush, paint the egg wash over the top of the cookies and sprinkle with the sesame seeds (I prefer black sesame seeds for flavor and color).
- Step 10
Place in the preheated oven for about 11 minutes or so. These cookies need to have a light golden brown appearance and must be immediately removed from the oven to cool.
- Step 11
Overcooking them will change the flavor and texture so watch your oven temperature and cooking times carefully. Let the cookies cool completely before removing them from the tray (or they will crumble and crack.)
- Step 12
Place on a large serving platter to enjoy immediately, or, once cooled, store in containers or large plastic bags in the freezer for future use.