Kourabiedes are among the quintessential Greek holiday treats crumbly, aromatic, and irresistibly almondy. Maybe we could name them as ” Greek almond snowballs “. But what if you could enjoy all the traditional flavor with a lighter, more wholesome twist?
By using pure extra virgin olive oil instead of butter, you keep the classic texture and taste, while embracing a healthier and more Mediterranean style approach. The recipe below is ideal for your kitchen, with fresh ingredients and the quality touch of Greenolia Classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Yield
About 2 kg of cookies
Ingredients
- 250 g whole, raw, unsalted almonds (with skin)
- 680 g Classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Greenolia
- 220 g powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1,460 g all-purpose flour
- 1 level teaspoon of baking powder
- Zest of 1 un-waxed orange
- 1 vanilla capsule (or 1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170 °C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Roast the almonds on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes. Let cool, then roughly chop them.
- In a mixing bowl (or stand mixer), beat the olive oil with the powdered sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until sugar dissolves and mixture becomes creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ammonia/baking powder, orange zest and vanilla.
- Gradually add about 2/3 of the flour mixture into the olive oil mixture initially with a whisk, later switching to a paddle attachment if using a mixer.
- Mix until a soft, homogeneous dough forms. Gradually incorporate the remaining flour.
- Fold in the chopped almonds gently, ensuring even distribution.
- Shape the cookies into walnut-sized balls, gently pressing them to flatten a bit, and place them on the prepared tray with spacing in between.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until they turn lightly golden.
- Once out of the oven, allow them to cool. Then place cookies in a bowl with powdered sugar, roll gently to coat, shake off excess sugar, and arrange on a platter; dust additional powdered sugar between layers.
Our Tip
Using high-quality olive oil gives your kourabiedes a richer flavor and a lighter, more Mediterranean profile – no dairy, fewer calories, more taste.
These olive oil Kourabiedes are proof that tradition can go hand in hand with care without sacrificing taste. With a cup of coffee, tea, or milk for our little friends, these Christmas treats will be the perfect festive dessert for you and your loved ones. Happy holidays!
