How to make Koulourakia (Greek braided cookies)

Yiayia Anna grew up in Crete, Greece making koulourakia (Greek braided cookies) with her family. She immigrated to America when she was 27 and continues to make them for her family.

Today we are joining Yiayia Anna in her kitchen in Boston to learn how to make koulourakia.

Recipe:

6 – 8 cups flour
1lb Whipped unsalted butter
1 ½ cups sugar
7 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp ouzo
3 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
Sesame seeds (optional)

Egg Wash
2 egg yolks
splash milk/water
pinch of sugar

1. Beat butter until creamy using mixer
2. While waiting, sift flour and set aside
3. Separate 5 eggs - whites from yolks - whip each separately and add half of the sugar to each - then add to mixer
4.. Add the vanilla and ouzo
5. Add the baking powder and baking soda to 1 cup of the
flour. Then add this to the mixture.
6. Remove from mixer into large bowl and add the remaining flour, 1 cup at a time until a soft pliable dough is formed. The dough should not be sticky, but it should also not be dry or stiff.
6. Shape into twists and brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with
sesame seeds (optional)
7. Bake in a 350 oven for approx. 15-20 minutes or until golden
brown.
8. Eat them all and start again!

*Please accept my deepest apologies for the vertical filming. I haven't filmed/edited anything in a long time and didn't realize until after the fact that I should have held my phone horizontally*