Kourabiedes Recipe (Greek Butter Cookies) (2024)

A Greek butter cookie that's vegan, gluten-free and with a healthier butter free option. Both Kourabiedes recipes are incredible and Greek dad approved!

Kourabiedes are my dad's all time favorite cookie. I was hell-bent on creating a vegan and gluten free kourabiedes recipe that he would approve of. And while I was chasing that unicorn I figured I may as well perfect a healthier alternative that was butter free.

Kourabiedes- Greek Butter Cookies

Wait, did I say a butter free Greek butter cookie?! Am I crazy?! Well yes, but that's beside the point. The fact is that I did it. And BOTH versions are approved by my kourabiedes loving father who does not approve of food easily.

Every year around the holidays, we make Greek Christmas cookies. Growing up I longed for the families that made the traditional sugar cookies with all the frosting decor, but as I got older I started loving our traditions.

The three most popular Greek Christmas desserts in our house are baklava, melomakarona and these kourabiedes. I am so excited that I have perfected vegan versions of all of these. And gluten-free for two of the three (I have yet to find a good gluten-free filo dough for the baklava).

The weeks before Christmas the baking frenzy began. This was what we gave to neighbors and friends so there was no one and done baking situation, We. Baked. For. Days. And now, I plan to continue this tradition with my boys.

Can I make kourabiedes ahead of time?

Yes! We do this a lot. If you make these up to a week ahead of time, you can make them in their entirety and they will still be yummy. However if you want to prep far ahead of time, here are some tips to use and consider:

• You can bake the cookies, cover in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to serve.
• You can simply make the dough, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then freeze in an airtight container.
• You can also do these both and store in the fridge if you will use them within a few days.
• If freezing, allow to return to room temperature by putting on the counter.

How to store kourabiedes

The best way to keep these is on the counter. This keeps them at the right temperature for stuffing into your face. However, if you won't consume them within a week (first check your pulse), then store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Make sure to take them out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving so that they can return to room temperature before serving.

Gifting tips

Giving Greek Christmas cookies as gift was our thing. We loved it and so did the receivers! My mom always bought cute holiday plates, and wrapped them in cellophane or plastic wrap then tied with a cute holiday ribbon.

How To Make Kourabiedes

This kourabiedes recipe is really easy to make! The hardest part is getting the dough to form. I created two versions, one traditional using a vegan butter we love, and one using almond butter instead to give a touch healthier option. Both came out amazing!

1. Mix the dry ingredients.
2. Add the wet and form into dough. Here are both versions.
3. Roll into balls and bake.
4. Cover with powdered sugar.

Other delicious Greek Christmas recipes to drool over

Here are some of our other favorite Greek recipes we eat at Christmas time:

• Spanakopita
• Fava (Yellow Split Pea Dip)
• Greek Rice Stuffing
• Peas with Scallions and Dill
• Moussaka
• Yemista (Stuffed Peppers and Tomatoes)
• Baklava
• Melomakarona