Description
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek butter cookies filled with roasted almonds and coated in a thick layer of powdered sugar. These delicate cookies have a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a festive appearance perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
1 cup (230 g) cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar, plus extra for coating
2 tbsp cognac
1 tsp rosewater (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (120 g) roasted almonds, chopped
2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and roast for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden. Let them cool and chop.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cold butter and powdered sugar together for about 5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add the cognac, rosewater, and salt and mix until fully combined.
- Stir in the chopped roasted almonds.
- Sift the flour and baking powder over the butter mixture and gently mix until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape the dough into small balls or crescent shapes and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill the shaped cookies for 30 minutes to help them keep their shape while baking.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops remain pale.
- While the cookies are still warm, dust them generously with powdered sugar.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely, then coat them again with more powdered sugar for a thick snowy finish.
Notes
Rosewater can be replaced with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for a milder flavor.
Add a little orange zest to the dough for a light citrus note.
Cookies can be shaped into crescents for a traditional look or rolled into balls for easier preparation.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week with parchment between layers.
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
