Kourambiedes (Greek Butter Cookies)

By chelyc13

Ingredients

• 4 sticks butter, softened
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tblsp orange flavored liqueur or brandy
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup finely ground almonds
• whole cloves
• powdered sugar for dusting

Details

Servings 48

Preparation

Step 1

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream 4 sticks butter, softened at low speed for 1 hour, or until it is almost white. Add 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted, 1 tablespoon at a time, 1 egg yolk, and 1 tablespoon orange flavored liqueur or brandy, and blend in 4 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. (If the dough seems sticky, chill it, wrapped in wax paper for 1 hour) Form the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and stud each ball with 1 clove. Put the balls on baking sheets and bake them in a preheated moderate oven (350) for 15 minutes, or until they are pale golden. Transfer the cookies o a rack, let them cool for 2 minutes remove cloves and dredge them in sifted confectioners' sugar.