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#IntnlCookies: Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies)

4 December, 2015 by Tara 10 Comments

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Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies) (1 of 3)
Welcome to the International Cookie Exchange hosted by Sarah from Curious Cuisiniere and Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla!

Today a group of cookie-loving food bloggers is sharing recipes for cookies from around the globe. Get ready to break out your mixing bowl, because these recipes are sure to inspire you to fill your cookie jar with cultural treats!

You can follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #IntnlCookies, and you can find these great recipes and more cookies from around the world on the International Cookie Exchange Pinterest Board .

Here’s the #IntnlCookies Tray…
listed in alphabetical order of the cookies’ country of origin
  • From Chile:Tortillas and Honey– Alfajores
  • From Denmark:Caroline’s Cooking– Brunkager (Danish Christmas cookies)
  • From the Dominican Republic:The Petit Gourmet– Deditos de novia
  • From Germany:Cosmopolitan Cornbread– Spritzgeback (Butter Cookies)
  • From Greece:Tara’s Multicultural Table– Kourambiethes
  • From Indonesia:Brunch with Joy– Katte Tong (Cat’s Tongue Cookies)
  • From Italy: Eat Picks –Cujidatta
  • From the Netherlands:Curious Cuisiniere– Dutch Speculoos Cookies
  • From Poland:A Day in the Life on the Farm– Kolatczki
  • From Puerto Rico:SewYou Think You Can Cook– Mantecaditos
  • From Sweden:Culinary Adventures with Camilla– Sju Sorters Kakor, a Traditional Swedish Cookie Platter
  • From Vietnam:I’m Not the Nanny– Vietnamese Ice Coffee Cookies

Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies) (2 of 3)

For the event, I made Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies). These little powdered sugar covered shortbread cookies are quite addictive. The texture is crumbly and melts in your mouth. The trick is to beat the butter until completely lightened, almost white, and fluffy- roughly 15 minutes.

I formed the cookies into a ball shape, but I have also seen them shaped like crescents, pears, or “S”. Almonds or cloves are sometimes added to the center of the cookies when forming. Some recipes also incorporate almond flour.

If you don’t have any brandy around, then you can substitute with whisky or orange juice (but of course brandy is traditional and will yield the most authentic flavor).

For easier serving and less mess, the dusted cookies can be placed in small paper cups.

Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies) (3 of 3)

Kourambiethes (Greek Shortbread Cookies)
Adapted from Lemon and Olives
~20 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon brandy
2 cups all purpose flour
Topping:
2 cups powdered sugar for coating

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy. It should be almost white and take about 15 minutes. Beat in the egg yolk. Mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and brandy. Add the flour and knead to bring together dough.

Form a tablespoon sized piece of dough into a ball. Place on prepared baking sheet. Gently pinch the top of the ball between to fingers to form a slight ridge. Repeat with remaining dough, placing the cookies about 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

Bake in preheated oven until lightly golden, about 20 minutes.

Cover a large plate with powdered sugar.

Transfer the warm cookies to the powdered sugar covered plate and coat each cookie completely. Allow to cool before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Dust with additional powdered sugar if needed.

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Filed Under: Desserts, European Tagged With: brandy, Christmas, cookie, dessert, europe, European, greece, greek, holiday, international cookie exchange, shortbread

Previous Post: « Peanut Butter Daifuku Mochi and Baklava to Tarte Tatin
Next Post: Roasted Camotes and Hartwood Cookbook »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere

    4 December, 2015 at 9:06 am

    I love the idea of flavoring shortbread with brandy. I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for joining the cookie party!

    Reply
  2. carolinescookingblog

    4 December, 2015 at 11:34 am

    These sound so delicious but easy as well – must try!

    Reply
    • Phyllis Chandler

      12 December, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      I’m making them for Christmas. My husband is Greek Italian
      He loves them! My first try! Usually get at a bakery!

      Reply
  3. Renee @ Tortillas and Honey

    4 December, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Oooh, I’ve never heard of these cookies before! They definitely do look like they melt in your mouth! So beautiful and festive– thanks for introducing me to a Greek cookie!

    Reply
  4. culinarycam

    4 December, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    These are some of our favorites, but I always make them with ouzo!

    Reply
  5. Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm

    4 December, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    I am just loving all these different cookies from around the world. Thanks for sharing Greece with us.

    Reply
  6. Gaila

    4 December, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    Hi Tara! love your cookies pics, they are wonderful, this recipe is very similar to a Dominican one called “Polvorones” they just melt in your mouth, don’t they?

    Reply
  7. lk529

    6 December, 2015 at 7:17 am

    Such fun photography! =)

    Reply
  8. Kelly

    9 December, 2015 at 5:28 am

    These remind me of tea cookies- but adding the whiskey is a great little twist! Will give these a go this holiday. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  9. Tara

    14 December, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    Thanks everyone!

    Reply

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