These delightful Greek orange cookies are a perfect blend of Mediterranean warmth and citrusy brightness.
Ready in just 30 minutes, this authentic recipe yields 40-50 melt-in-your-mouth treats that bring a taste of Greece to your kitchen.
Whether you’re hosting a coffee gathering or seeking a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, these traditional cookies offer the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication.
Their quick prep time and foolproof baking method make them an ideal choice for both novice bakers and seasoned home cooks.
Ingredients for Greek Orange Cookies
- Butter: 250g softened at room temperature
- Sugar: 1 cup of regular granulated sugar
- Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature
- Orange: Zest and juice from 1 fresh orange
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon for extra aroma
- Mastic Liqueur: 3 tablespoons (skip if unavailable)
- Flour: 650g sifted soft flour for tender cookies
- Baking Powder: 3 flat tablespoons (omit if using self-raising flour)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix with your hands until well incorporated and smooth
- Shape the Cookies: Use your hands to form your preferred shapes – get creative with your designs!
- Prepare for Baking: Line your baking tray with parchment paper and arrange cookies with enough space between them
- Bake to Perfection: Place in preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20-25 minutes until they achieve a beautiful golden color
Variations & Substitutions
These sweet Greek cookies are super flexible! If you can’t find mastic liqueur, simply skip it – your cookies will still taste amazing.
Want to switch things up? Try lemon zest instead of orange for a different citrus kick. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter – just make sure it’s the kind that’s meant for baking.
Self-raising flour works great if you want to skip measuring baking powder. Love extra orange flavor? Add a splash more juice or fold in some candied orange peel!
Storage Tips
These Greek cookies stay fresh and tasty for up to 2 weeks when stored right! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature.
If you stack them, put a piece of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. Want to freeze them?
Go ahead! They freeze really well for up to 3 months – just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy. The orange flavor actually gets better after a day or two!
Serving Suggestions
These orange-scented cookies are perfect with your morning coffee or afternoon tea! For a real Greek experience, serve them with a cup of strong Greek coffee.
They’re also lovely as part of a cookie platter during holidays or special occasions. Want to make them extra special?
Dust them lightly with powdered sugar just before serving, or dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate for a fancy twist!
Easy Greek Orange Cookies
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Baking tray
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 250 g butter (9 ounces)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 orange zest from 1 orange
- 1 orange juice from 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons mastic liqueur optional
- 650 g soft flour sifted (23 ounces)
- 3 tablespoons baking powder flat, not heaped
Instructions
- To prepare these orange flavored Greek cookies, all you have to do is to add all the ingredients together into a large bowl and blend with your hands, until combined.
- Shape the cookies with your hands, giving them any shape you like and bake at 180C for 20-25 minutes, until nicely colored. Remember to use some parchment paper layered on the baking tray so that they don’t stick and leave some distance between the cookies, as they will rise a bit when baked.