Cook Like A Karpathian

Anna's Koulourakia

makes 6 trays of koulourakia

  • 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of one orange
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • Egg wash (2 eggs and splash of milk)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and add the sugar. Slowly add one egg at a time. Add the baking soda in the orange juice and let foam. Add that into the mixture. Then add the orange zest, vanilla extract and almond extract. Add a pinch of salt and the baking powder. Turn off the electric mixer and add the flour slowly in. You can use your hands to combine or a wooden spoon. Once formed, allow the dough to rest for 5-10 minutes. Begin forming small balls, about 1 teaspoon for each cookie. Roll out the dough into thin strands and create the design you desire. Brush each cookie with egg wash and sprinkle some of the cookies with pastel sprinkles. Add the cookies to a lined baking pan with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown.