Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies Recipe

Indulge in the irresistible taste of Koulourakia, traditional Greek sesame twist cookies! These melt-in-your-mouth delights are perfect for Easter, Christmas, or any time you crave a sweet treat. Easily shaped into festive candy canes or your own creations, these cookies are wonderfully crisp and subtly sweet with a delightful sesame seed topping. The simple recipe yields a batch of beautiful and delicious cookies that will quickly disappear!

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 54 mins

Calories 160.2 kcal

Protein 4g

Rating Be the first

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter + 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) salted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Fresh Orange Juice
sesame seeds (to taste)

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease baking sheet(s).
In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) salted butter, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 tablespoon orange zest using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the dough into 6 equal-sized balls.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough ball into a 15-inch long rope.
Fold the rope in half lengthwise.
Twist the folded rope 4-5 times.
Gently curve the twisted rope into your desired shape (e.g., candy cane).
Place shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the cookies with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water) and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until light golden brown.
Let cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

3 g

Sugar

31g

Fat

19g

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Sweets & Sides Desserts European Mediterranean Vegetarian Spring Recipes Holiday Recipes Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies?

Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies takes about 84 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 54 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies?

Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies has approximately 160.2 calories per serving, with about 4 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates and 11 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies?

The key ingredients for Koulourakia Greek Sesame Twist Cookies are Butter, Oil, Orange Zest, Sugar, Egg, Vanilla. See the full list with measurements above.