Almond Koulourakia

Almond cookies

Ingredients

• 250 gr. butter, softened and cut into medium pieces
• 200 gr. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp. sweet orange zest
• 3 drops of almond essence
• 500 gr. all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 tsp. tablespoon baking powder
• 150 gr. almonds, grilled for a few minutes and coarsely chopped
• 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten
• 1 cup of coarsely chopped almonds

Directions

1. In a bowl, I beat the sugar with the softened butter with the mixer, until I make a fluffy and light-colored mixture. I add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and then add the orange zest, almond essence, flour, baking powder and toasted almonds. I mix all the ingredients together with a spatula.
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C. With the mixture, I form round cookies or half shaped moons and arrange them on two baking sheets (or two shallow pans) lined with non-stick paper. I brush them with the egg yolk and sprinkle them with the coarsely chopped almonds. I bake them for 25 - 30 minutes, until they are golden brown.