Kourabiedes Recipe
Tasty Shortbread with Almonds …
Kourabiedes ( Κουραμπιέδες ) pronounced koo-rah-bee-e-thez, are small almond cakes coated in icing sugar.
Always eaten for weddings and christenings (baptisms) and for the Cypriot and Greek celebrations of New Year and Christmas.
These tasty little bites are perfect with a coffee or tea for a snack or dessert.
Ingredients for Kourabiedes
- 5 1/3 cups plain flour
- 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup toasted chopped almonds – walnuts if preferred
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon brandy
- 1 tablespoon of rosewater
- icing sugar to garnish and cloves(*) if required
* In Greece and Cyprus it is customary to pop a clove on top of each shortbread as this represents the Three Wise Men’s gift of spices to baby Jesus.
How to make Kourabiedes …
- Toast almonds in oven for a few minutes on a low heat and then chop into small pieces
- Beat the butter until soft and fluffy and then add sugar and mix together
- Mix in the egg yolks and brandy
- Sift the flour and baking powder and add to the mixture
- Then add the almonds, cover the mixture with cling film (plastic wrap) and refrigerate for about 30mins
- Now pre-heat oven to 180c (350f / gas 4)
- Line a baking tray with grease-proof paper (baking paper)
- When the mixture is ready break off small pieces of dough and shape into small circles or half moons and place on tray (you can also roll the pastry out and use shaped cutters)
- Bake until lightly golden for about 20 – 25 mins and allow to cool
- Brush the cookies with rosewater and then dust with icing sugar and enjoy!
- Store in a sealed container.
