Greek Wedding Cookies

By mitzzy

These delightful cookies are also known as Greek “S” Cookies or Koulourakia. Some versions have nuts but these do not. I suppose this does make a huge batch of huge cookies, so feel free to divide this recipe in half. But, these are such tremendously satisfying, feel-good, over-sized cookies, you will want to have some on hand to give as a gift. They can be rolled in sesame seeds before baking or as I prefer, either dusted with confectioners’ sugar (quite traditional) or in finely pulverized regular sugar (my own invention and thus, quite untraditional).

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon brandy, optional
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 6 eggs
• 1 yolk
• 6 cups all-purpose flour, approximately,
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Confectioners’ Sugar, Or Sesame Seeds

Details

Servings 20

Preparation

Step 1

Line two sets of baking sheets, each with parchment paper and stack them in two other baking sheets (you want to double insulate your baking sheets).

In a large mixing bowl, with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with the sugar, adding in one cup of the flour to bind it together, mid way through the creaming.

Add in the eggs and then the yolk, blending well after each one.

Blend in the vanilla, brandy and lemon juice and blend well, scraping bowl to ensure it is all evenly mixed.

Fold in the dry ingredients and blend well. You will have a stiff but soft dough.

Let it relax 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

To make the large S cookies, rolling about 2 tablespoons of dough on a lightly floured surface into a 4-inch thick rope. Shape into an S and place on baking sheet. To have the sesame version, roll cookies in sesame seeds lightly, while you are forming the rope. You can also make mini S cookies for gift giving.

Bake 13-16 minutes or until puffy and lightly golden browned.

Cool slightly and then toss cookies generously in confectioners’ sugar.

Makes 20 large cookies or 4-6 dozen very small ones

You can also make a ton of mini versions of these, roll them in balls and bake. Roll in confectioners sugar and place in confectionary cups for fancier serving, for example, if serving with after dinner party espresso.