• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pastry Wishes
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • How-tos and Tips
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • How-tos and Tips
  • Web Stories
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • A stack of chocolate chip marshmallow cookies on parchment paper next to mini marshmallows and cookies.
      Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
    • A closeup of a strawberry mojito mocktail on a wooden surface next to strawberries, mint leaves, and lime slices.
      Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
    • A close up of chocolate marshmallow ice cream in a glass bowl topped with two toasted marshmallows next to marshmallows and ice cream cones.
      Chocolate Marshmallow Ice Cream
    • A closeup of baked blueberry apple crumble in a white baking dish with a spoon.
      Blueberry Apple Crumble
    • Two glasses of virgin sunrise mocktails with metal straws on a wooden surface, garnished with mint leaves next to a blue towel and orange slices.
      Virgin Sunrise
    • Four scoops of black forest ice cream in a glass bowl topped with a cherry.
      Black Forest Ice Cream
    • A stack of three strawberry cheesecake cookies on parchment paper next to strawberries and a white napkin.
      Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
    • A closeup of a strawberry daiquiri mocktail next to strawberries and limes.
      Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail
    • A closeup of an Oreo muffin on an unwrapped paper liner on top of four Oreo muffins and Oreo cookies.
      Oreo Muffins
    • A three layer chocolate salted caramel cake on a white plate next to a vase with white flowers and a jar of caramel.
      Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake
    • A stack of three lemon blueberry cookies on a white surface dripping with lemon glaze next to a cookie, blueberries and lemon slices.
      Lemon Blueberry Cookies
    • Caramel filled cupcakes on a white plate and a gray surface next to a jar of caramel sauce.
      Caramel Filled Cupcakes
    Home » Recipes » Cookies

    Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies (Easy + Tips + Various Designs)

    Published: Apr 2, 2020 · Modified: Apr 2, 2022 by Voula with 9 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    155 shares
    • Share44
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies that are popular during Easter! They are buttery with hints of vanilla, orange juice, and freshly grated orange zest in every bite!

    koulourakiagreekeastercookies
    A cute Greek Easter bunny cookie!

    You’ll see these butter cookies on almost every Easter table in Greece!

    Jump to:
    • What are Koulourakia?
    • Here’s what you need to make Koulourakia
    • HOW TO MAKE KOULOURAKIA GREEK EASTER COOKIES
    • TRADITIONAL GREEK KOULOURAKIA SHAPES & DESIGNS
    • HOW TO MAKE KOULOURAKIA GREEK EASTER BUNNY COOKIES
    • MAKE AHEAD OPTION
    • TIPS FOR SUCCESS
    • FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
    • MORE GREEK RECIPES!
    • Recipe

    What are Koulourakia?

    Koulourakia (pronounced kou-lou-RA-kee-a) are Greek Easter cookies that are traditionally shaped by hand into gorgeous twists, braids, rings, and lots of other designs.

    This recipes makes the best Koulourakia cookies you will ever have!

    Koulourakia are pretty simple to make. I think it would be really fun to get the kids involved in making all the different designs, too!

    But I think the best part is that you don't need any unusual or hard-to-find ingredients to make Greek Easter cookies, just a few simple items, most of which you probably already have!

    2 plates of koulourakia greek easter cookies on a pink tablecloth and flowers

    Here’s what you need to make Koulourakia

    Ingredients for Koulourakia Greek Easter Cookies

    ingredients for koulourakia
    A few simple ingredients!
    • unsalted butter
    • sugar
    • vanilla
    • eggs
    • milk
    • orange juice & zest
    • baking powder
    • all-purpose flour
    • salt
    • cognac (optional)

    HOW TO MAKE KOULOURAKIA GREEK EASTER COOKIES

    a collage of four photos of koulourakia greek easter cookies
    a collage of four photos of koulourakia greek easter cookies
    a collage of four photos of koulourakia greek easter cookies
    a collage of four photos of koulourakia greek easter cookies

    STEP 1

    In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.

    STEPS 2-3

    In another large bowl, rub the orange zest with the sugar using your fingers. Then beat on low speed for about a minute.

    STEP 4

    Add the butter to the sugar and beat on medium-high speed for 10 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary.

    STEP 5

    Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

    STEP 6

    Add the milk, vanilla, cognac, and orange juice and beat until well combined.

    STEPS 7-8

    Gradually add the flour mixture, 1 cup at a time. Start beating on low speed until the flour is just combined. Add more flour and mix it with a spatula.

    STEPS 9-10

    Use you hands to add the remaining flour. If the dough is too wet or sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it comes together. The dough should be pliable and soft, not sticky and you should be able to hold a piece between your hands, like the photo above. Don't overmix the dough because it will make the cookies hard.

    STEP 11

    Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest for about half an hour.

    STEP 12

    Weigh each piece of dough (about 1.2 oz / 35 g) before shaping to ensure all the cookies are the same size and bake evenly.

    STEPS 13-14

    Roll the dough into a long cord, about 10 inches (26 cm) long. Make different shapes and place them on the baking sheet.

    STEP 15

    Then make the egg wash. Mix the egg yolk with the water.

    STEP 16

    Brush the top of the cookies with the egg wash and bake!

    TRADITIONAL GREEK KOULOURAKIA SHAPES & DESIGNS

    Greek Koulourakia are usually made into a variety of shapes.

    Here are a few ideas!

    koulourakiadesigns

    HOW TO MAKE KOULOURAKIA GREEK EASTER BUNNY COOKIES

    I honestly don’t remember where I first came across this Easter bunny, so I can’t take credit for the design, but it is so cute! Here's a step-by-step tutorial.

    koulourakia greek easter bunny cookies
    Greek Koulourakia Easter Bunny Cookie

    STEP 1

    Take a piece of dough, the size of a walnut.

    STEP 2

    Roll into a long cord, about 10 inches (26 cm) long.

    STEP 3

    Make a spiral for the body.

    STEP 4

    Add another piece of dough on top and slightly flatten it.

    STEP 5

    Cut a small portion to make the ears.

    STEP 6

    Gently pull apart the ears using the tip of the knife.

    STEP 7

    Take a small piece of dough and roll it into a ball for the tail and attach it to the body.

    STEP 8

    Add a whole clove for the eye.

    koulourakiagreekeastercookies

    MAKE AHEAD OPTION

    Here’s a great make-ahead option for this recipe:

    Weigh each piece of dough (around 35 g / 1.2 oz). It should be about the size of a walnut.

    After that, put all the dough balls in a large bowl, cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator.

    The next day, take the dough balls out of the refrigerator and soften each one a little bit in your hands. Then shape and bake them.

    2 plates of koulourakia greek easter cookies on a pink tablecloth

    TIPS FOR SUCCESS

    • Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature.
    • I highly suggest you weigh the ingredients using a digital scale before you begin to get consistent results.
    • A secret to making these cookies is to rub the orange zest into the sugar by hand and then mix it with a hand mixer. I always do both in order to release all the aromatic oils from the zest.
    • For fluffy cookies that won’t crumble apart, you really need to beat the butter and the sugar together for at least 10 minutes.
    • Only use as much flour as needed for the dough to come together. There are a few factors that can affect how wet the dough is such as the size of the eggs you use. Therefore, you might need more flour to make the dough pliable so it doesn’t stick to your hands. If more flour is needed, add it a tablespoon at a time.
    • When you add the flour, do not overmix the dough because it can make the cookies hard.
    • The dough needs to rest for about 20-30 minutes. This will make it easier to shape the cookies.
    • Weigh each piece of dough before shaping so that all the cookies are the same size & bake evenly.
    • Leave enough space between each cookie when you put them on a baking sheet, otherwise they may stick together as they bake. Place them at least 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the baking sheet.
    • These cookies can be soft or crunchy, it really depends on how long you bake them. I like them somewhere in between, not too soft, but not too crunchy, either, so I bake them for about 30 minutes. For crunchier cookies, bake them about 5 minutes longer, but don’t overbake or they could get hard.
    • Each oven is different and baking times may vary. I bake these cookies one tray at a time.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    How do you make Koulourakia shiny?

    Traditionally, these cookies are brushed with an egg wash on top before baking. This is what makes them shiny. You could also brush the tops with egg whites, instead.

    How do you store Koulourakia?

    These cookies keep very well! Just put them in an air-tight container at room temperature.

    How long do Koulourakia last?

    If stored properly, these cookies will last for up to about 2 ½ weeks.

    Can you freeze Koulourakia?

    Yes! What I always do is freeze the dough before I bake them. I follow the same method I use in my post about how to freeze cookie dough! Just make balls with the dough - I always weigh them first, so that they're all the same size. Then I put them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Then I cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the freezer. After about an hour, I take them out of the freezer and put the frozen dough balls in a freezer bag or other container. Finally, I label it and freeze. They last about 1 ½ months.

    How do you thaw Koulourakia dough?

    The safest way to thaw this dough is to take out as many balls you need and put them in the refrigerator, rather than letting them thaw at room temperature.

    What can I make with leftover Koulourakia?

    You could use them to make this delicious Chocolate Salami (Greek Kormos/Mosaiko)! I also like to crumble some koulourakia over Greek yogurt for breakfast or just dunk them in coffee!

    koulourakia

    Have a wonderful Easter (Kalo Pascha)!

    ~Voula

    MORE GREEK RECIPES!

    • A slice of greek ekmek kataifi on a white plate.
      Greek Ekmek Kataifi
    • galatopita greek milk pie slice on a plate and pie dish in background
      Galatopita Greek Milk Pie
    • tsoureki square
      Tsoureki - Traditional Greek Easter Bread (Easy + Tips)
    • chocolate salami sliced and wrapped in kitchen twine
      Chocolate Salami – Greek Kormos/Mosaiko (No-bake + Vegan Option)

    Recipe

    Koulourakia greek easter cookie in the shape of a bunny.
    Print

    Koulourakia - Greek Easter Cookies

    Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies that are popular during Easter! They are buttery with hints of vanilla, orange juice, and freshly grated orange zest in every bite!
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Greek
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Resting time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 40 cookies, approximately
    Author Voula

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups (1 lb 12.3 oz / 800 g) all-purpose flour (you may need 1-2 tablespoons extra)
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • a pinch of salt
    • zest from 1 orange
    • 1 ½ cups ( 300 g) sugar
    • 1 cup + 5 tablespoons (300 g / 10.6 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 2 eggs, room temperature
    • ½ cup milk, room temperature
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • 2 tablespoons cognac (optional)
    • ¼ cup (60 ml) orange juice, room temperature
    • a few whole cloves (1 for each bunny cookie)

    For the egg wash

    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1 teaspoon water

    Instructions

    • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
    • In another large bowl, rub the orange zest with the sugar using your fingers. Then beat on low speed for about a minute.
    • Add the butter to the sugar and beat on medium-high speed for 10 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. The mixture should be light and fluffy.
    • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
    • Add the milk, vanilla, cognac, and orange juice and beat until well combined.
    • Gradually add the flour mixture, 1 cup at a time. Start beating on low speed, until the flour is just combined. Add more flour and mix it with a spatula.
    • Use you hands to add the remaining flour. If the dough is too wet or sticky, add more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it comes together. The dough should be pliable and soft, not sticky and you should be able to hold a piece between your hands, like the photo in the post. Don't overmix the dough because it will make the cookies hard.
    • Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for about half an hour.
    • Preheat the oven to 350 °F / 175 °C .
    • Weigh each piece of dough (about 1.2 oz / 35 g) before shaping to ensure all the cookies are the same size and bake evenly.
    • Take a piece of dough and roll it into a cord, about 10 inches (26 cm) long. Then shape it (see notes & photos in the post). Place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Make sure the cookies are at least 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the baking tray.

    Make the egg wash

    • In a small bowl, mix the egg yolk with the water. Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash using a pastry brush. 
    • Bake the cookies for about 20-30 minutes or until light golden brown. For crunchier cookies, bake them about 5 minutes longer.
    • Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 ½ weeks.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Picture Tutorial & Tips: I have a detailed picture tutorial in my post to help you out with each step of the recipe as well as lots of tips to ensure success.
    • I highly suggest you weigh the ingredients using a digital scale for consistent results.
    • For fluffy cookies that won’t crumble apart, you really need to beat the butter and the sugar for at least 10 minutes
    • Only use as much flour as needed for the dough to come together. There are a few factors that can affect how wet the dough is such as the size of the eggs you use. Therefore, you might need more flour to make the dough pliable so it doesn’t stick to your hands. If more flour is needed, add it a tablespoon at a time.
    • Do not overmix the dough because it can make the cookies hard.
    • The dough needs to rest for about 20-30 minutes. This will make it easier to shape the cookies.
    • Each oven is different and baking times may vary. I prefer baking these cookies one tray at a time.
    • For crunchier koulourakia, bake them a few minutes longer (about 5 minutes), but don’t overbake as they could get too hard.
     
    Baking Measurements: I have used weight measurements for all the recipes on this website. Even though I have also included American volume measurements for convenience, I highly recommend using a digital kitchen scale to weigh all ingredients for the most accurate measurements. Digital kitchen scales are more precise than cups, which is so important in baking, and they give the most accurate, consistent results. Happy baking!
    © Pastry Wishes
    « HOW TO FREEZE COOKIE DOUGH
    5 EASY RECIPES TO SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH WITH 5 INGREDIENTS OR LESS »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christopher Mantzaris

      July 19, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      I tried this recipe and the cookies tasted great but they were a little rubbery. What did I do wrong? Did I handle the dough too much? Appreciate any advice you can give me. Thanks, Chris

      Reply
      • Voula

        July 20, 2021 at 3:54 pm

        Hello, Chris!
        I'm glad you liked the cookies! Regarding the texture, I can think of possibly 2 reasons. First, perhaps the sugar wasn't beaten long enough with the butter. The recipe says to beat them for 10 minutes. The reason is that if the sugar isn't creamed properly with the butter, oftentimes it can create tiny bubbles in the dough which will affect the texture. Second, you might have overworked the dough. Hope this helps! If you do make them again, let me know how they turn out!

        Reply
    2. Maria

      February 10, 2023 at 5:54 am

      5 stars
      These were the best koulourakia, even better than my mom’s! I can’t wait to make them again! Thanks for sharing the recipe!I love your tips and your posts are so thorough!

      Reply
      • Voula

        February 10, 2023 at 7:14 am

        Thanks, Maria for your feedback! I'm so happy you enjoyed the cookies! ☺️

        Reply
    3. Susie

      April 04, 2023 at 2:38 am

      5 stars
      I tried your recipe the dough was nice and soft. They turned out great in taste! And kept their shape nicely in braids. My kids loved them more soft with sesame seeds on top. I made some crunchier for myself, because I love dipping them in coffee and in milk.

      Reply
      • Voula

        April 04, 2023 at 6:34 am

        Hi, Susie! It makes me SO happy to hear you loved the koulourakia! Thanks for trusting my recipe!☺️

        Reply

    Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Voula!

    about me photo

    I’m a self-taught baker, recipe developer and aspiring food photographer with a passion for baking. I believe making desserts from scratch doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. Learn more about me ...

    Popular

    • A vanilla swiss roll cake with powdered sugar and fresh strawberries on a white plate.
      Easy Vanilla Swiss Roll Recipe
    • Virgin mojito with sprite, mint leaves, ice and lime in a glass.
      Virgin Mojito Recipe With Sprite
    • A slice of greek ekmek kataifi on a white plate.
      Greek Ekmek Kataifi
    • A slice of lazy cake on a white plate on a white surface.
      Easy Lazy Cake Recipe
    • Peanut butter fudge squares in a white bowl.
      No Bake Peanut Butter Fudge
    • homemade peanut butter
      How to Make Peanut Butter (Step-by-step Tutorial)

    Seasonal

    • Apple pie tartlets on burlap next to two apples and two cinnamon sticks on a wooden surface.
      Apple Pie Tartlets
    • A slice of pumpkin cheesecake bar with whipped cream and caramel sauce on top and a pumpkin in the back.
      No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
    • two streusel top apple mufins, one on top of the other, with two apples and cinnamon sticks
      Streusel Top Apple Muffins (No Mixer)
    • An overhead shot of an apple rose tart with dulce de leche on a white surface next to an apple and cinnamon sticks.
      Easy Apple Rose Tart with Dulce de Leche
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    FOLLOW

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    RECIPES

    • All Recipes

    CONTACT

    • Contact Us

    Copyright © 2023 Pastry Wishes

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT