Greek Vegan Orange Cookies (Koulourakia)
I discovered these Greek koulourakia cookies on our last vacation and I decided to try them at home. I can honestly tell you that they are much tastier than the ones I found in the Greek stores. There is a real difference between the homemade version and the store-bought ones. You must try them.
Their full name would be Koulourakia Nistisima. I really like the simple way in which they are shaped by twisting in a spiral. In addition, these Greek biscuits with orange juice can be made together with the children. The sugar glaze is optional, but in my opinion, it adds extra taste and an interesting crunchiness. All in all, they are crispy, aromatic, very easy and quick to make!
Pour sugar, oil and orange juice in three different 250ml glasses. Then combine them into a bowl, in which we will prepare the dough.
Add the grated peel from one orange, one teaspoon of salt and vanilla essence, mix.
Add about 700g of flour and baking powder. Stir with a spoon or a spatula.
Gradually, mix in the remaining 200g of flour and stop when you get a smooth dough which is soft, non-sticky, easy to work with, just like play-doh.
Knead on the table for a little, then let sit for 10 minutes.
Cut the dough into medium-sized pieces (about the size of two walnuts).
Roll each piece into ropes as thin as possible, about 7-8mm in diameter.
Bend the ropes in two and twist to form a spiral.
Coat one of the sides of the spiral in powdered sugar (on a plate) and gently press so that the sugar sticks to it. Only coat one of the sides of the spiral.
Arrange the koulourakia biscuits glazed side up on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper.
Bake in the preheated oven to 200 degrees C for 20-25 minutes or until evenly browned.
Leave in the pan for at least 30 minutes or until completely cooled.
They are delicious, aromatic, crunchy, tasting like Greece...
Enjoy!
