Greek Lemon Cookies

Every so often, Liberty and I like to bake up a batch of various cookies. In the winter, we prefer oatmeal or chocolate chip, but come spring, it's always our Greek lemon cookies that we bake on Holy Thursday, as they are a traditional, Easter treat. 

 

Having said that, they are to Greeks what biscotti are to Italians, and as such, can be enjoyed whenever one craves a substantial citrus cookie, as they are denser in texture, but very moist, with a full bodied lemon-y aroma and taste.

And this year, they were extra special, since they were infused with the fresh, citrus-y scent that came from lemons growing on the one and only lemon tree in our veggie garden. Here's the recipe that I found in 'Dolce', a Greek gourmet magazine. It's super easy! 

Greek Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

500 grams all purpose flour

200 grams sugar

100 grams butter

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

zest from two lemons

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg + 2 Tbsp. water for egg wash

Directions:

1.  Cream the butter and sugar 

so that it becomes light and fluffy.

2.  Add the eggs, one by one, beating after each, 

then, the milk, vanilla, and lemon zest.

3.  Lower the speed on the mixer and add the 

flour in portions, folding it in after each addition.

4.  On a cold counter, start to knead the dough until 
it doesn't stick to your fingers. You might need
 to add more flour (I find that I always do, 
but be careful, as the more flour you add,
 the more it takes away from the lemon, 
the vanilla and the sugar).

5.  Shape the dough into strips, 15 cm long and the width of your finger.

6.  Roll them into a pinwheel or whatever shape you like. 

7.  Transfer to cookie sheet and  brush with egg wash. 

8.  Bake in a preheated oven for 18 - 20 minutes 

at 180 C/(350 F). Makes about 1 kilo.

These Greek lemon cookies are  perfect with that first cup of morning coffee, or tea in the afternoon. If you like your cookies crunchy, then store them in a cookie tin.  Otherwise, keep them in an air tight container, if you prefer a softer cookie. I hope you give them a try; they're fun to make and are scrumptious!

 Have you done any baking, lately?

Thanks for visiting!

xx

Poppy

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