Kourabiedes: A Traditional Cypriot and Greek Dessert

Kourabiedes: A Traditional Cypriot and Greek Dessert

This almond treat is associated with Christmas in Cyprus and Greece. However, Cypriots enjoy making and eating it all year round.

• What is kourabiedes
• History of the dish
• Analogs of kourabiedes
• Dessert recipe
• Frequently asked questions

What is Kourabiedes

Kourabiedes, kurabiya, and many other spellings and pronunciations, are butter cookies usually made with ground almonds. Varieties are found in most Arab, Balkan, and Ottoman cuisines, with different shapes and recipes. In the Maghreb countries and Egypt, they are often served with Libyan tea, Arabic coffee, or Maghrebi mint tea.

In Greece and Cyprus, brandy, usually Metaxa, is sometimes used to flavor kourabiedes, although vanilla, mastic, or rose water are also popular. In some regions of Greece and Cyprus, Christmas kourabiedes are decorated with a single whole clove inserted into each cookie.

In Cyprus, kourabiedes are shaped into crescents or balls, then baked until slightly golden. While still hot, they are typically coated in a sugar glaze, forming a rich butter-sugar coating.

Kourabiedes are popular for special occasions such as Christmas or christenings. They are also often given as gifts to wedding guests after the ceremony. But nowadays, they are made everywhere, as Cypriots love this dessert so much. Besides home production, you will find kourabiedes in any bakery and even in stores.

History of the Kourabiedes Dessert

A recipe for similar cookies, but without almonds, is found in the earliest known Arabic cookbook, Kitab al-Ṭabīḫ from the 10th century. Kourabie in its current form appeared in Ottoman cuisine in the 15th century.

There is some debate about the origin of the word. Some claim the word kurabiye is Turkish, while others believe it is Arabic or Persian. It is known today that the earliest use of the word in Turkish dates back to the late 17th century and comes from the Persian gulābiya, a type of cookie made with rose water.

Name and Analogs of Kourabiedes

The Greek word "kourabiedes," as mentioned, is borrowed. But Greeks and Cypriots are not alone in this.

In many cuisines, the root of the word is Arabo-Persian. For example, in Albania it is gurabia, in Algeria gribeia, in Armenia khourabie, in Bulgaria kurabiya, in Kuwait, Lebanon, and Morocco ghriba, in Libya and Tunisia graibe, and in Turkey kurabiye.

Kourabiedes Recipe

We found a classic balanced recipe for this dessert on a respected Greek culinary site. It is claimed that this is how Cypriot grandmothers used to make them!

Ingredients

(for approximately 50 kourabiedes)

• 500 g goat and sheep butter
• 1 cup of sugar for the glaze
• 2 egg yolks
• 100 ml brandy
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 2 cups of almonds roasted at 170°C for 6-8 minutes, roughly chopped, room temperature
• 1 kg whole wheat flour
• 1 capsule of vanillin
• 500 g sugar for the glaze
• a little rose water

Preparation

1. To prepare traditional kourabiedes, add butter to a mixer and beat it on medium or high speed until it becomes fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar and beat first on low speed until it combines with the butter, then on relatively high speed for 15 minutes or more until you get a smooth and thick cream.
3. Reduce speed to medium and add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then sequentially add brandy, cloves, and almonds, beating well after each addition.
4. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and vanillin and beat until a soft and very pliable dough forms.
5. Shape about 50-60 round or long kourabiedes in the shape of crescents and place them on a baking sheet or large pan lined with parchment paper.
6. Preheat the oven and bake at 200°C for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned. If all the kourabiedes do not fit on the pan, bake them in two or more batches.
7. Let the dish cool and sprinkle with rose water.
8. Coat the kourabiedes in sugar glaze and carefully layer them on a plate, sprinkling each layer with sifted powdered sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cypriot Cuisine

What Other Desserts Are There in Cyprus?

If we talk about dishes prepared for holidays, the traditional Easter pie Flaouna should be mentioned first. Also worth mentioning is the Vasilopita - a cake prepared for New Year's Eve.

Which Meat Dishes in Cyprus Should You Definitely Try?

Traditional skewers of souvlaki are probably the main thing offered in any tavern. But do not overlook sheftalia - tender meat in natural casing.

What Cheeses Besides Halloumi Are Available in Cyprus?

Of course, feta is perhaps even more famous than halloumi, the Greco-Cypriot cheese. But we recommend trying anari - a lesser-known but noteworthy cheese in Cyprus.

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