Greek Almond Cookies: Authentic Recipe from My Kitchen Recipe
Authentic Greek Almond Cookies that are soft and flavorful, made with ground almonds, fresh orange zest, and a hint of vanilla. These traditional cookies feature a delicate crumbly texture and are topped with sesame seeds and slivered almonds, perfect for any festive occasion or as a delightful treat with tea or coffee.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup ground almonds
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup softened butter
- 1 medium egg yolk (optional, for shine)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Toppings
- Sesame seeds for topping
- Slivered almonds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground almonds, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl until well incorporated.
- Add Butter and Mix: Add the softened butter to the dry ingredients and mix with your hands or a wooden spoon until the mixture becomes crumbly in texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the optional egg yolk, orange zest, fresh orange juice, and vanilla extract into the mixture, kneading gently until a soft dough forms.
- Rest the Dough: Place the dough in the refrigerator and let it rest for 15 minutes to firm up and enhance the flavors.
- Shape the Cookies: Divide the dough into 24 equal portions. Roll each portion into an S-shape or crescent shape and use a fork to create indentations for decoration and texture.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle sesame seeds and slivered almonds onto the shaped cookies to add a nutty crunch and a traditional touch.
- Bake: Arrange cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, ensuring some space between them, then bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before transferring them to airtight containers for storage to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Optional egg yolk adds a lovely shine to the cookies but can be omitted for a more rustic finish.
- Chilling the dough helps the cookies keep their shape during baking.
- Use fresh orange zest and juice for the best citrus flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Ground almonds can be substituted with almond flour if preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: Greek almond cookies, orange almond cookies, traditional Greek dessert, homemade almond cookies, citrus cookie recipe
