Irene’s Cretan Biscuits (Greek Almond Cookies)

 

Irene’s Cretan Biscuits (Greek Almond Cookies) are a delightful, traditional treat from Crete, featuring the flavors of almonds, cinnamon, and honey. These cookies are often enjoyed with coffee or tea. Here's a recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup finely ground almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin for authentic flavor)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds (for topping)

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.

3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, honey, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing with a spatula or your hands until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.

   

5. Shape the Cookies: Take small portions of the dough and shape them into oval or round cookies, about 1-2 inches in size. You can also slightly flatten them if you prefer thinner cookies.

6. Top with Sesame Seeds: Press the top of each cookie into sesame seeds, then place them on the prepared baking sheet.

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.

8. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack. They will firm up as they cool.

Optional:

• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle a bit of honey over the cookies after they’ve cooled.

These Irene’s Cretan Biscuits are perfect for any time of the day and pair wonderfully with a cup of Greek coffee or tea. Enjoy!