The scent of butter and toasted almonds fills the kitchen, soft music plays in the background, and powdered sugar drifts through the air like first snow. These Greek cookies, or Kourabiedes, feel like Christmas wrapped in sweetness — crumbly, nutty, and made for moments when family laughter mixes with the smell of something baking.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts: Yield, Time, Calories
Yield & Nutrition Snapshot
- Yield: 33 cookies (20 g each)
- Calories per cookie: 110 kcal
All Measurements by Weight
All ingredients are measured in grams for accuracy and consistent results.
Why You’ll Love These Greek Cookies
Festive, Giftable, Make-Ahead
Kourabiedes belong on every holiday table. They’re perfect for gifting, too — simple, elegant, and wrapped in a cloud of powdered sugar. They stay fresh for days, which makes them a reliable cookie to bake ahead for busy Christmas weeks.
Simple Pantry Ingredients
Butter, almonds, flour, and sugar — that’s it. You don’t need anything fancy. And yet, together they create that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines these classic Greek cookies.
Ingredient Overview
Butter, Almonds, Vanilla/Ouzo, Powdered Sugar — What Each Does
Butter gives richness. Almonds bring nutty depth. Vanilla adds comfort. A touch of ouzo (or your choice of orange juice or milk) ties everything together with a hint of warmth. Powdered sugar finishes it with that dreamy snow-dusted look.
Substitutions & Variations
Swap almonds for pistachios or walnuts if you’d like a twist. Or add a splash of citrus for a brighter note. Every variation still keeps the soul of Greek cookies alive — crumbly, buttery, unforgettable.
Step-By-Step Method
Prep: Toast Almonds & Soften Butter
Toast the almonds until golden and fragrant, then cool and chop. Meanwhile, let the butter soften until smooth and easy to mix.
Mix: Cream, Add Wet, Fold in Dry + Nuts
Beat butter until fluffy. Add icing sugar, then mix in egg yolk, vanilla, and ouzo (or your chosen liquid).
Sift flour with baking powder, add almond meal and chopped almonds, and mix just until it comes together.
Shape: 20 g Portions — Crescents, Balls, or Cut-Outs
If the dough feels soft, chill it for 30–60 minutes. Shape 20 g portions into crescents, balls, or cut-outs. Place on a lined tray and refrigerate for an hour.
Bake & Coat: 170°C/340°F, Sugar (Warm + Cooled)
Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 20–25 minutes until just golden. Cool for 10 minutes, then roll in icing sugar while still warm. Cool completely and roll again.
Pro Tips for Perfect Kourabiedes
Temperature & Texture Control
Soft butter gives lightness, but melted butter makes cookies heavy. Always let it soften slowly at room temperature.
Chill Time to Prevent Spread
Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape, especially if your kitchen is warm. It also deepens flavor.
Double Dusting for Snowy Finish
Coating twice — once warm and once cooled — ensures a thick, snowy blanket of sugar that clings beautifully.
Storage, Freezing & Make-Ahead
Room Temp Storage: 5–7 Days Airtight
Keep them in an airtight container to stay fresh and tender for up to a week.
Freeze Dough (3 Months) & Bake from Frozen (+5 min)
You can freeze shaped dough for three months. Bake directly from frozen with an extra five minutes.
Freeze Baked (Before Sugar), Thaw & Coat
You can also freeze baked cookies before dusting, then thaw and coat in sugar right before serving.
FAQs
What are Greek Christmas cookies?
They’re traditional butter and almond cookies dusted in powdered sugar, made especially for Christmas celebrations.
What is the most popular Greek dessert?
Baklava is the most famous, but Kourabiedes are the heart of every festive table in Greece.
What are the most traditional Christmas cookies?
In Greece, it’s Kourabiedes and Melomakarona — one snowy, one soaked in honey.
What are Greek biscuits called?
They’re called Kourabiedes when made with almonds and powdered sugar, though the word “biskota” also means general cookies in Greek.
Greek Cookies (Kourabiedes) — Recipe Card
Print
Greek Cookies Recipe | Classic & Delicious Holiday Treat
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 33 cookies (20 g each) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These traditional Greek cookies, called Kourabiedes, are buttery almond shortbread cookies rolled in powdered sugar. They’re light, crumbly, and full of festive flavor — perfect for Christmas or any celebration.
Ingredients
120 g slivered almonds
180 g butter, softened
90 g icing sugar (powdered sugar)
250 g plain flour (all-purpose)
1 tsp baking powder (sifted into the flour)
30 g almond meal (ground almonds)
1 egg yolk, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ouzo (or water/milk/orange/lemon/lime juice)
Extra: 1 cup icing sugar for dusting
Instructions
1. Toast almonds in a dry frying pan over medium heat until golden, then cool and chop.
2. Ensure butter is very soft; use a mixer or soften gently.
3. Beat butter until smooth and lump-free.
4. Sift icing sugar into butter and mix until fluffy.
5. Add egg yolk, vanilla, and ouzo; blend until creamy.
6. Sift flour and baking powder into mixture, add almond meal and chopped almonds; mix until combined.
7. If dough is soft, chill for 30–60 minutes before shaping.
8. Shape 20 g portions into crescents, balls, or cut-outs.
9. Place shaped cookies on lined baking trays; refrigerate for 1 hour.
10. Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 20–25 minutes until lightly colored.
11. Cool for 10 minutes, roll warm cookies in icing sugar, cool completely, then roll again for a snowy finish.
Notes
Use themed cookie cutters for holidays.
You can freeze shaped dough for up to 3 months.
Baked cookies can be frozen before sugar dusting.
Let butter fully soften at room temperature for best texture.
These cookies are not overly sweet — buttery, nutty, and perfectly crumbly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 52 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg
More Such Recipes
If you love these Greek cookies, you’ll enjoy:
- Chocolate crinkle cookies with a festive dusting
- How to make soft and chewy snickerdoodle cookies
- Classic peanut butter cookies with a rich nutty flavor
- Best homemade chocolate chip cookies for every occasion
- Delicious lemon crinkle cookies bursting with citrus
- Chocolate thumbprint cookies with indulgent centers
Final Thoughts
There’s something comforting about a cookie that’s been made the same way for generations. These Greek cookies remind us that simple ingredients, handled with care, can create something magical. If you make them, dust extra sugar on top — because a little extra sweetness always fits the season.
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