Kourabiedes I
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek Christmas cookies that are covered in powdered sugar. They are made with butter, flour, and ground almonds, and they have a delicate almond flavor. These cookies are very easy to make, and they will keep for several weeks in an airtight container.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds, divided into 1/4 and 1/2 cup portions
- 36 whole cloves (24 for the dough, 12 for decoration)
- Confectioners’ sugar for decoration
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Celsius).
2. Sift flour with baking powder and set aside.
3. Cream butter and gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy.
4. Add egg yolk, brandy, and vanilla; beat again until light.
5. Stir in almonds then blend in flour mixture to form a soft, smooth dough—chill for 30 minutes or until it can be handled easily (if the dough is too sticky when shaping, add more flour one tablespoon at a time).
6. Shape level tablespoonfuls of dough into crescent-shapes then place them 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet; insert a whole clove into the center of each cookie before baking for 25-30 minutes or until they are light (but not brown).
7 Dust generously with confectioners’ sugar once cooled on rack
Nutrition Facts
- Serving size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 107
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated fat: 0 g
- Trans fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
