Koulourakia

These are a sweet treat but they can also be made as a savoury version.
Traditionally cooked in Greece as an Easter treat but certainly lovely all year around.

My 60cm oven stopped working and I wasn't too fussed as I have a 30cm oven as well and you can cook everything in this as long as you have the right sized baking pans.
I finally decided to get the big oven fixed as you couldn't cook two cakes in it at the same time and suddenly my urge to bake has increased substantially.

Especially now that Summer is upon us with glorious time to spend at home.

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Koulourakia

200g butter

200g caster sugar

1/4 cup orange juice

grated rind of 1 orange               

1 tablespoon each of orange and lemon rind                             

3 eggs                             

3/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla essence       

500g  plain flour                            

1 teaspoon bicarb soda     

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves                       

                                                          

sesame seeds for sprinkling   

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until fluffy - about 5 minutes. 

 In a small bowl mix the eggs with the orange juice and rind.  Add the egg / orange juice to the butter mixture and beat until well combined.

In a cup add vanilla essence to the milk.

Add the baking soda to the flour with the cinnamon and cloves and on low speed add 1/2 of flour to the butter/sugar mix until it is incorporated.  Add 1/2 of the milk, mix then add 1/3 more of the flour.  Keep mixing, add rest of milk.  Mix.  Then remaining flour until it is all moist.

                                                     

These will keep for up to one week in an air tight container at room temperature.

Enjoy with a cappuccino, cup of tea, chocolate milk or a sweet glass of vin santo.

Buon appetito, enjoy Merryn xx