The Greek cookie most requested from me - kourambiedes

These are beautiful cookies - i make them a bit sweeter and heavier than the original and these are my most requested:

Kourambiedes

(Joe's version)

makes 4 to 6 dozen cookies

·       1 pound sweet (unsalted) butter - room temp

·       1 cup raw sugar (less ¼ cup for less sweet cookie)

·       1 tablespoon TANG (this primarily adds acid, not flavor)

·       4 teaspoons vanilla

·       2 tablespoons fresh orange zest

·       1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest

·       2 teaspoon anise flavor

·       1 teaspoon orange flavor

·       4 eggs (use fewer eggs for lighter, crumblier cookies)

·       3 cups pecans, chopped fine

·       2 teaspoons water

·       4 or more cups flour, added in ¼ cup increments

·       powdered sugar to finely coat the cooled cookies

whip the butter

Add sugar and TANG to the whipped butter and whip till fluffy.

Add zests, nuts, vanilla, orange and anise flavor and whip again

add water to eggs and whip in a separate bowl

change to a beater bar and slowly add flour, mixing with portions of eggs

slowly beat until the mixture begins to clump on the beater bar

(more flour may be needed)

roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet
squash the balls using a smooth wetted glass or metal object

bake for 20 minutes at 350º F, but check after 15 minutes.
The cookies will have the edges just brown.
They must cool before removing from tray.
Place on tray and cover with powdered sugar.
Eat at room temperature.