 Koulourakia | |
| Alternative names | Easter biscuits |
|---|---|
| Type | Pastry |
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Greece |
| Region or state | Greece,Pontos |
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Butter |
Koulourakia[a] orKoulouria,[b] orkerkele inPontic Greek,[1] are a traditional Greek dessert, typically made aroundEaster[2] to be eaten afterHoly Saturday.
They are abutter-basedpastry, traditionally hand-shaped, with egg glaze on top. They have a sweet delicate flavor with a hint ofvanilla.Koulourakia are well known for their sprinkle ofsesame seeds and distinctive ring shape.[2] In fact, the word is the diminutive form for a ring-shaped loaf or roll.[citation needed]
The pastries are traditionally shaped into spirals, but can be shaped into braided circles,[3] hairpin twists, figure eights, twisted wreaths, horseshoes or Greek letters. Often, a clove is added atop the center of the pastry for added flavor. They are commonly eaten with morning coffee or afternoon tea. Like all pastries, they are normally kept in dry conditions in a jar with a lockable lid.
Koulourakia have been prepared since at least the time of theMinoan civilization.[4] The Minoans sometimes prepared the pastries like small snakes, because they worshiped the snake for its healing powers.[citation needed]
