Kourabiedes are Greek almond cookies that are buttery beyond words! This shortbread is kissed with orange blossom water and covered in a flurry of powdered sugar.I originally used sliced almonds in this recipe, which was all I had on hand and hey worked well. However, chopped almonds are more traditional
Preheat oven to 350F. Line at least two baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
Combine butter and 1 cup confectioner’s sugar in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until very light and fluffy. With the mixer still running, add egg yolk, liqueur, and vanilla; beat until well incorporated. Add the almonds and mix again.
Sift together flour and baking powder in a separate large bowl. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until a thick, un-sticky dough forms (you may not have to use all of the flour). Scrape down sides of bowl so that ingredients are well combined.
Scoop the dough using a cookie scoop (4 teaspoon capacity) or by the slightly heaping tablespoon. Place 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets. Bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes until light golden on the edges. Cool slightly on the baking sheets.
Load a small kitchen-dedicated spray bottle with orange blossom water and spray the cookies with 2 spritzes of orange blossom water while they are still warm. If you don’t have a spray bottle, pour 1/4 cup of orange blossom water in a bowl; dip a pastry brush into the water and brush lightly over cookies.
Spread 3-4 cups of confectioner’s sugar evenly in the bottom of a deep baking pan or casserole dish. Carefully place each cookie in sugar lined pan, and use a sieve to evenly cover cookies with remaining powdered sugar. Let cool completely in the pan, and transfer to a serving dish.
Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
Orange blossom water gives these a beautiful scent. It will smell perfume-y at first, then settle into a citrusy orange scent. If you don't have orange blossom water on hand, a drop of orange oil in the batter would work, or add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the batter.While there's no exact substitute that replicates the nuances that orange blossom water holds, orange oil and orange zest are both widely accepted as substitutions.
Keyword animal cookies, easy christmas cookies, Greek Christmas cookies