Description
These Greek Sesame Cookies, known as authentic Koulourakia, are traditional butter cookies with a delightful sesame seed coating, perfect for pairing with coffee or tea. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and finished with a sweet glaze, they offer a classic Mediterranean treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat fully for consistent baking results.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a nice texture for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the whole egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring the dough is smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously until the dough is thoroughly combined and holds together.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes; this firms up the dough, making it easier to shape.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 24 sticks, each about 10 inches long, which is the traditional shape for Koulourakia.
- Butter and Coat with Sesame: Lightly brush each dough stick with melted butter, then roll them in sesame seeds to ensure even coating and added crunch.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the coated dough sticks onto baking sheets, spacing them apart so they bake evenly without sticking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies turn a golden color indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water, then add powdered sugar and mix until smooth and glossy for the traditional sweet glaze.
- Glaze Cookies: While the cookies are still warm, brush the glaze over the surface to give them a shiny finish and additional sweetness.
- Cool: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely before serving or storing to maintain their crispness.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and to help the cookies keep their shape during baking.
- The glaze gives an authentic sheen and slight sweetness; do not skip it to maintain traditional flavor and texture.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
- For a nuttier flavor, you can lightly toast the sesame seeds before coating the cookies.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek cookies, Koulourakia, Sesame cookies, traditional Greek dessert, butter cookies, holiday cookies
