Greek shortbread cookies (Kourambiedes)

20 September 2010
by Phuoc

I love baking things that are dead easy and quick to whip up yet impressive as well. Having been invited to an epic BBQ held by Miss Candy on short notice meant that I had to think of something quick to make and wasn’t going to fill everyone up too much as you could imagine there would be so much food at these kind of gatherings.

These biscuits simply melt in the mouth and once you have one, you HAVE to have a few more.. I made half the cookies as crescents and half as balls because when I initially made the crescents and took them out of the oven, they fell apart on me. This was only because I didn’t want to wait for them to cool down first, I was too eager to have them then and there; so take my advice and wait for 5 minutes before you start removing them from the tray. The original recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of orange zest but I decided to use the zest of an entire orange instead because I didn’t want to just use a tiny bit of an orange just for this recipe, and besides it provided more flavour to these cookies.

Recipe

Adapted from Indulgence Petits Fours

Makes 50 cookies

1 cup (250g) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup (60g) icing sugar

Finely grated orange zest from 1 orange

1 egg yolk

1 tbs brandy (I omitted this)

1/2 cup (55g) ground almond meal

1/4 cup (40g) almonds, toasted and finely chopped

2 1/2 cups (310g) plain flour, sifted

1 1/2 tsp baking powder, sifted

Extra icing sugar, for dusting

  1. Cream the butter, sugarย  and orange zest in a medium bowl until pale and fluffy.
  2. Add the egg yolk and brandy and beat until combined.
  3. Fold the ground and chopped almonds, flour and baking powder into butter mixture and mix until well combined.
  4. Gather together and wrap in cling wrap. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or until firm.
  5. Preheat the oven to 160C (315F). Line two baking trays with baking paper.
  6. Shape a tablespoonful of the mixture into crescents or balls using lightly floured hands.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until pale golden.
  8. Cool on trays for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely (remember: don’t do what I did and grabbed it straight off the tray as it’s still fragile and broke).
  9. While still warm, dust with sifted icing sugar.
  10. Just before serving, heavily drench the cookies with icing sugar.
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16 Comments

  1. Karen | C&C

    LOL, sorry for the short notice! I’m def not the most organised or on-the-ball person in the world hence why I don’t plan many things hehe.

    But thanks for coming! Those remaining shortbreads disappeared rather quickly after you all left. My only regret was not starting on them sooner and hoarding them ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Helen (grabyourfork)

    These were delicious, and lol, I think both of you were pretty organised when it came to deliciousness ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. chocolatesuze

    dude these were awesome! totally regretting not stealing that plate to take home!

  4. kristy @ ksayerphotography

    These look delicious! So much powdered sugary goodness ๐Ÿ˜›

  5. isis

    That looks delicious! I can’t wait to have our bake up! Food photography lessons are also in order if you’ve got the time. I’m loving all your food shots!

  6. billy@a table for two

    These are so goood!!! so light and simply crumbles away! Love that little hint of orange in it too. Thanks Phuoc!

  7. OohLookBel

    I love these cookies! Nothing better than having a coating of icing sugar on the lips to lick off later (just don’t inhale some accidentally – cough!)

  8. foodwink

    They look so good, Phuoc. The second pic is just amazing!

  9. Minh

    Yum!! I couldn’t believe you’d made these they looked so pro and tasted soooo good! I’m so sad I didn’t take any away for the next day ๐Ÿ™

  10. FFichiban

    These were amazzinnngggg! loved the citrusness mmmm

  11. Phuoc

    Karen: HAHA All is good, thanks for the invite regardless:D

    Helen: I think we’re all good in the deliciousness dept.

    Suze: Thanks! Maybe next time…

    Kristy: But powdered sugar is good… Only if you don’t snort it accidently though ๐Ÿ˜€

    Isis: Like wise, I can’t wait! x

    Billy: Thanks Billy, I’m glad you liked them ๐Ÿ™‚

    Bel: HAHA I accidently do that from time to time, it’s not nice inhaling icing sugar, worse is powdered chocolate I think!

    Foodwink: Thank you, I am quite proud of that picture ๐Ÿ˜€

    Minh: Thanks! I should have brought over the entire batch but knowing us there would have been loads of food around!

    FFichiban: Thanks dude!

  12. angie

    Nommy Nom Nom!?!?! Mmmm I have had way too much indulgence with food, back to eating minimally and healthily for a while and drool through all these food blogs =D

  13. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    Love these Phuoc! When I was growing up, we had a friend who lives a few doors up and her mum would make these. We loved them fresh from the oven and dusted with icing sugar! ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. Phuoc

    Angie: There’s never too much indulgence with food I’d say!

    Lorraine: Aww weren’t you spoilt? I don’t think I had much yummy offerings when I was younger. Nothing beats them being fresh out of the oven

  15. Heidi - Apples Under My Bed

    These look heavenly! I have seen similar cookies at a local cafe, and the owners are greek. Very keen to try them now!
    Heidi xo

  16. Phuoc

    Thanks Heidi! Let me know how you go if you do try them out ๐Ÿ˜€

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