Koulourakia Greek Sesame Cookies

Butter sesame cookie, great for dipping in coffee or tea.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 72 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup  softened sweet butter
• 1⁄2 cup vegetable shortening
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 6  cups flour
• 4  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon or 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  cup heavy cream
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 1  beaten egg
•  sesame seeds

Directions

1. Cream butter and shortening until fluffy.
2. Gradually beat in sugar.
3. Beat in eggs.
4. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices; stir into the egg mixture alternately with the cream and vanilla.
5. Shape dough with floured hands into desired shapes.
6. Shape pieces of dough into thick pencil shapes.
7. Brush with extra beaten egg.
8. Roll onto the sesame seeds to coat lightly.
9. Double over rolled dough and twist, or form into rings, figure eights or coils. I use about six-inch pieces.
10. Place on cookie sheets and bake in a moderate 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.