Easter Cookies (Greek Koulourakia)

Print this recipe here: https://www.dimitrasdishes.com/greek-koulourakia-vanilla-chocolate-easter-butter-cookies/
Ingredients
For the vanilla cookies:

• 1-pound unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 and 1/2 cups (350g) granulated sugar
• 4 whole eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• zest of 2 large lemons/oranges, optional
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 8 cups (1.16kg) all-purpose flour
• egg wash: 4 egg yolks plus 4 tablespoons water
For Chocolate (half batch):
• ¼ cup (20g) cocoa powder
• ¼ cup of water
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 4 ounces (113g) melted chocolate

Optional toppings:
• Granulated sugar
• Sesame seeds
Optional flavorings:
• Anise seeds
• Almond extract
• Ground cardamom seeds
• Cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C.
In a tabletop mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and beat until incorporated.

Beat the eggs and yolks with the sugar mixture until fluffy.
Add the heavy whipping cream and beat well.
Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
Zest the lemons over the flour mixture and mix to combine.
Add the flour mixture in a few batches while the mixer is beating all of the ingredients on a low speed.
Beat until well combined. Check the dough and add 1/2 cup more all-purpose flour if needed to form a dough that is soft but not sticky. Adding too much flour will make the cookies dry and hard.
Transfer half of the dough into a bowl or on a clean surface and cover with plastic or with a towel.
Make the chocolate mixture: Combine the semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa, instant coffee, and sugar in a small bowl. Pour hot water on top and mix well until smooth. Microwave for 15-20 seconds if needed. Set aside to cool completely.
Add the cooled chocolate mixture to the remaining dough in the mixture. Beat until incorporated. Set aside and cover with a kitchen towel. Allow to rest for 30 minutes.
Form the dough into walnut, or golf ball-sized rounds.
Roll each round out into about 8-inch cylinders.
Fold in half and twist until a twist is formed.
To make the vanilla& chocolate cookies, follow the video tutorial. Basically, form 2 ropes (1 vanilla and 1 chocolate) Set them side by side so that they are touching. Twist together and form the twist into a circle and connect the ends.
Place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Continue until all of the cookies are formed.
To make the egg wash, combine the egg yolks with water and whisk well until smooth.
Brush the egg wash over each cookie.
Sprinkle sugar or sesame seeds on top of the cookies or leave them plain.
Bake 35-45 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown. Rotate trays (place the bottom tray on the top rack and the top tray on the bottom for even baking) halfway through baking.
Allow the cookies to cool completely.
Store them in an airtight container.
Serve with tea or coffee.
Enjoy!

Music Used:
Greek Sun Time (With Intro)
ITEM ID: 66582698
By: tonyanthony

Its All Greek
ITEM ID: 84456733
By: LowNotes

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