Yes, it’s the holiday season once again. I can’t believe this year is almost over. As times goes by, I feel each year progressively passing faster and faster. Not cool!
I do however look forward to Christmas and anticipate it for a plethora of reasons, one being this recipe. It’s funny because I could make Kourambiethes anytime I wish, but we only make them around Christmas time, and occasionally for Easter, too.
Being that I only eat these around the holidays, when I see these cookies, I think of family, friends, loved ones, time off, and powdered sugar all over my shirt (which inevitably happens no matter what).
When I was small, I would eat as many as I could get my hands on – then enjoy the sugar high! Not much has changed from then, except now I enjoy them with Greek coffee instead of milk 😉
These cookies are so important to Greeks during the holidays. I feel like it’s the one dessert you could find in most Greek’s homes. I don’t know if you can get these at your local Greek festival, so they are definitively worth making. They are fairly easy and taste delicious.
This recipe is very special to me. Not because it’s unique, but because it’s one of the original recipes my yiayia (γιαγια) had passed down to me. I like knowing that this recipe originated with her in Kalamáta and that she brought it across the pond to the US, and today I am making these cookies the exact same way my family’s been doing it for generations upon generations. It reminds me why I have such a passion for cooking Greek food – it connects me with my roots.
I will be upfront here, while they are classified as cookies, they do have the consistency of a biscuit. They aren’t moist and chewy, they are more soft and dry. However, don’t let that stop you, you’ll love them!
Also worth nothing, the recipe calls for brandy, if you don’t have any you can use whiskey. If you’re not a fan of either or don’t have either, most people substitute it with orange juice. Since brandy is a distilled wine, you’re looking for a little sweetness. We’ve never made it with anything but brandy, so if you alter it let us know how it turns out.
And as I always say, the more powdered sugar the better.
As always, if you make them, let us know how you and your family liked them!
Happy Holidays!!
Best,
Kenton
PS. Make sure to check out, Melomakarona, they are the other popular Greek Christmas cookie. They are coated in honey and topped with walnuts.
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 egg yolk
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon brandy (can sub with orange juice)
- 2 cups flour
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Place butter in bowl and whip until light and fluffy, about 10-15mins.*
- Add egg yolk and blend with whipped butter.
- Add in ¼ cup powdered sugar, vanilla, and brandy. Mix well.
- Add flour and mix until soft dough is formed. Use more flour as needed.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Break off small pieces of dough, form into a small ball (or whatever size you like).
- Pinch the center of the dough ball to flatten a bit and place on baking sheet.
- Repeat until all dough it used.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25mins, or until bottoms of cookies are golden brown**
- While the kourambiethes are baking, cover serving plates with powdered sugar.
- Remove kourambiethes from oven and place on cooling rack for 10-15mins.
- Place kourambiethes on serving plates.
- Sprinkle remaining powdered sugar over them - the more the better!
- Enjoy!
*Make sure to really spend the time whipping the butter. This is an important step!
**The cookies themselves won't turn golden brown.
Costa says
21 April 2015 at 7:42 pmMy son and I cooked these cookies. Followed ur instructions exactly. Used orange juice. We loved them. It brought me back to the dinner table at my grandmothers house in Greece. Thanks. We will make many more of those cookies in the future. Chuck xenos, Rochester nh
Kenton Kotsiris says
22 April 2015 at 7:58 amHi Costa, this is wonderful! I’m so glad you enjoyed them and thanks for the wonderful compliment 🙂
Kaitlin says
17 December 2015 at 4:39 pmMade these for my world cultures class and they were fabulous!!☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
Cynthia Abate says
5 January 2016 at 4:36 pmJust came upon your blog. I was smiling while reading of your memories of making and eating these special cookies. I too have fond memories of my grandmothers Greek cookies. I didn’t really know her, but my Italian mother kept up the tradition for my Greek father. Growing up, all my girlfriends would come over and say “are the Koudies ready?” They could never pronounce the real name. I gave to say, your recipe is not like mine at all, but I would love to try them. Thank you for sharing. Food that is connected with family and friends, is the best kind.
Michelle says
12 January 2016 at 3:40 pmThanks for the easy and authentic recipe. Kourambiethes are my favorite part of Denver’s Greek Festival and I thought there was no way that these would come even close. They were amazing!!! I used Orange Liqueur since I didn’t have OJ or brandy, and I ended up adding extra flour (almost a 1/3 c.) and baking them for a couple extra minutes. They crumbled in my mouth, perfect consistency, perfect flavor. Just like the ones at the Greek Festival, only better because now I can have them whenever I want. Thanks!!!
AmyJ says
16 December 2016 at 7:42 amWhen substituting almond flour, do you use the same amount as wheat flour? Do you then use any wheat flour at all (say, a 50/50 mix), or the almond flour alone?
Kenton Kotsiris says
9 January 2017 at 4:42 pmGreat question! If using almond flour, we’d go with 1/2 cup almond flour, then 1 1/2 cup regular flour. Doing 1 to 1 could overpower them (not a bad thing if you’re an almond fan however)
Stavos says
6 November 2017 at 5:14 pmThese are the best I’ve ever had. I love them so much and so did my family!!!