Grace is the foundation of forgiveness. We pray for forgiveness to enter our heart. We beg for forgiveness to enter our heart. We importune God for forgiveness to enter our heart.

Father Stephen Freemen : Glory to God for All Things

Preparing for Pascha – there is spiritual preparation, our fasting, almsgiving and prayer and there is physical preparation : cooking for family & friends. Prepping ahead of time saves me from exhaustion and becoming too much of Martha and not enough Mary during Holy Week. Over the years, I’ve learned to plan ahead. Anything that can be made and frozen we make the week before Holy Week.

Today we made Koulourakia – a family favorite and one of my hubby’s favorite cookies. I’m fortunate to have his Aunt’s recipe – however I must admit that even though I follow it to a “t” hers were always better.

Koulourakia are a delicious butter cookie flavored with vanilla. Perfect for dipping in coffee, and if you ever visit a Greek Orthodox Church you will most certainly be offered some at coffee hour.

I hope you enjoy these, they are super simple to make.

Koulourakia

Ingredients:

• 1 pound unsalted butter, softened (I prefer KerryGold)
• 4 cups sugar
• 8 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vanilla
• 2/3 of a 5lb bag of flour
• 3 heaping teaspoons baking powder
• 1 large egg (to brush on cookies)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 pastry brush

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy.
• Add 8 eggs, one at a time and mix well after each addition.
• Add vanilla and mix well.
• Add baking soda and mix well.
• Add flour in three parts mixing well after each. By the last addition you should be stirring with a spoon. Add enough flour so that the dough is soft but not sticky or too hard. It should feel like the consistency of fresh play dough.
• When the dough is done, it’s time to form the cookies. I use a cookie scooper and scoop out two scoops per cookie. It is important to measure the dough balls rather evenly as that ensures uniform baking.
• To form cookies, roll the dough into strips about 5″ long. Take the middle and twist into a the koulourakia shape.
• Lay on cookie sheets.
• Whisk remaining egg with water and brush egg wash onto cookies before baking. This gives the cookies a nice glisten.
• BAKE at 350F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. These cookies should not be soft but firm so they will be good for dipping.

Enjoy with a cuppa coffee and relax.

These can be frozen, which is what we are doing with ours until Pascha! Wishing you all a blessed and wonderful remaining few days of Great Lent!