Greek Sweets · 3 min read
What Are Kourabiedes? Greek Christmas Butter Cookies
Kourabiedes are Greek almond shortbread cookies buried in powdered sugar, baked for Christmas, weddings and baptisms. A guide to their history and method.
Kourabiedes are Greek shortbread cookies made with butter and toasted almonds, shaped into crescents or rounds and buried in powdered sugar. They are crumbly, rich and snow-white. Greek families bake them for Christmas, and also for weddings and baptisms.
Where they come from
The name is related to the Turkish kurabiye, and the cookie belongs to the shared Ottoman-era kitchen, alongside Egypt's ghorayeba. Greek communities, including the large community that lived in Alexandria, made kourabiedes their own festive tradition.
How they are made
Butter is beaten for a long time until pale. Powdered sugar, egg yolk, a splash of brandy or ouzo and vanilla go in, then toasted chopped almonds and flour. The cookies are shaped, baked until just firm and barely coloured, sprinkled with rose or orange flower water while warm, and rolled in a thick layer of powdered sugar.
Kourabiedes and melomakarona
At Greek Christmas the two cookies sit side by side: white kourabiedes and dark, honey-soaked melomakarona. Most families make both, and a plate of each is offered to every guest.
Wear dark clothes and you'll regret it.
Storage
Kourabiedes keep for two to three weeks in an airtight tin. Add fresh powdered sugar before serving.
Ask Délices
We bake by the season, so call us to ask what's on the counter today, or to plan Christmas sweets for an occasion: +20 3 486 1432. You'll find us at 46 Saad Zaghloul Street, Raml Station, open daily 8 AM – 1 AM.
