04/08/2026
Koulourakia (Buttery Greek Easter Cookies)
The signature features of koulourakia are their beautiful twisted or braided shapes, their glossy egg wash finish, and their satisfying crunch perfect for dunking into morning coffee or afternoon tea . They store beautifully, making them ideal for holiday gift-giving and festive tables.
Yields: Approximately 4-5 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes (+ 1 hour chilling)
Cook Time: 12-20 minutes (depending on size)
Total Time: Approximately 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
1½ cups (3 sticks / 340g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature, divided (2 whole eggs + 2 eggs separated yolks for dough, whites reserved for another use or 2 whole eggs for dough and 2 for glaze depending on recipe)
2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional, but traditional)
5¼ cups (655g) all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
For the Egg Wash:
2 large eggs, beaten
1-2 tablespoons milk or water
Sesame seeds, for sprinkling (optional)
Poppy seeds, for sprinkling (optional alternative)
Instructions
Part 1: Make the Dough
Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the softened butter and sugar together on medium-high speed for 5-7 minutes until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy . This step is crucial for creating the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Add eggs: Add 2 of the whole eggs (or the 2 egg yolks, depending on your chosen variation) one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated .
Add liquid flavorings: Beat in the orange juice, vanilla extract, and the citrus zests until well combined .
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt .
Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. The dough should be soft, pliable, and not sticky . If it seems too sticky, add a tablespoon more flour at a time until it comes together.
Part 2: Chill the Dough
Wrap and refrigerate: Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) . Chilling makes the dough firm and much easier to handle and shape.
Part 3: Shape the Cookies
Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 175-180°C (350°F) . Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare work surface: Lightly flour your work surface. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator.
Portion the dough: Pinch off pieces of dough (about 1 heaping tablespoon or 25-30 grams each) . Roll each piece into a ball.
Form into ropes: On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a thin rope about 6 inches (15 cm) long and about the thickness of a woman's pinky finger . If the dough cracks or is difficult to roll, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to warm slightly.
Create classic shapes (choose your favorite):
Twisted Braid: Fold the rope in half and twist the two strands together, then press the ends gently to seal.
Figure Eight: Form the rope into a circle, then twist the circle once to create a figure-eight shape.
Simple Braid: For a more intricate look, roll three thinner ropes and braid them together.
S-Shape: Simply curve the rope into an elegant "S" .
Circle/Wreath: Join the ends of the rope to form a circle, then gently press or twist .
Place on baking sheets: Arrange the shaped cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets .
Part 4: Glaze and Sprinkle
Prepare egg wash: In a small bowl, beat the remaining 2 eggs with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water until smooth .
Brush the cookies: Using a pastry brush, gently brush the top of each cookie with the egg wash. This gives them their signature golden, glossy finish .
Sprinkle with seeds (optional): If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds generously over the glazed cookies .
Part 5: Bake
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-20 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies and your oven . They are done when the bottoms are lightly golden and the tops are a beautiful pale gold. Do not overbake they should remain relatively pale, not deeply browned .
Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely .