Easy Vegan Orange Cookies: Greek Orange Koulourakia Without Mixer

These vegan orange cookies are soft, fragrant Greek koulourakia with a delicate citrus aroma and a lightly crisp texture. Made with fresh orange juice, vanilla, and a simple dough, they are one of the easiest homemade cookies you can prepare-no mixer required.

Perfect for fasting periods, holidays, or everyday baking, these cookies come together quickly with just a few pantry ingredients. Their beautiful braided crescent shape makes them ideal for serving with coffee, tea, or as a sweet homemade snack.

Easy Vegan Orange Cookies

Recipe by George Zolis

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: DessertCuisine: GreekDifficulty: Easy

Servings

30

cookies

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

40

minutes

Easy vegan orange koulourakia with fresh orange juice and vanilla. Soft, aromatic Greek cookies made without a mixer.

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Ingredients

Metric US

• 500 g 4 cup All-purpose Flour

• 2 tsp 2 tsp Baking Powder

• 100 g 1/3 cup Fresh Orange Juice

• 2 2 Vanillin Capsules

• 1 pinch 1 pinch Salt

• 20 g 1 1/2 tbsp Cognac or Brandy (optional)

• 150 g 3/4 cup Sugar

• 300 g 1 1/3 cup Margarine, at room temperature

How to make Vegan Orange Cookies

• In a bowl combine the sugar, orange juice, vanilla, salt, and cognac (optional). Mix well.
• Add the margarine at room temperature and mix until incorporated.
• In a separate bowl combine the flour and baking powder.
• Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
• Mix and knead until a soft, pliable dough forms that does not stick to your hands.
• Place the dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to rest.
• Shape the Cookies
• Take a 30 g piece of dough and roll it with your hands into a rope.
• Shape it into a crescent.
• Take a smaller 15 g piece of dough, roll it into a rope, place it in the center of the crescent, and twist it into a braid.
• Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking tray, leaving some space between them.
• Baking
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C), conventional heat, for 15–20 minutes, until lightly golden.
• Allow the cookies to cool before serving.

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What Are Greek Koulourakia?

Koulourakia are traditional Greek cookies usually flavored with citrus and vanilla. While many versions contain eggs and butter, this recipe offers a vegan fasting-friendly variation that is equally fragrant and delicious.

Why Orange Juice Makes These Cookies Special

Fresh orange juice adds natural sweetness and aroma, giving the cookies their distinctive citrus flavor while keeping the dough soft and easy to work with.

The Secret to Soft Cookies

Three elements create the perfect texture:

• Margarine at room temperature
• Short resting time for the dough
• Correct baking time to avoid overbrowning

This combination produces cookies that are slightly crisp outside but tender inside.

Serving Ideas

These orange cookies are perfect with:

• Greek coffee
• tea
• breakfast spreads
• holiday cookie trays

They store well in airtight containers and remain delicious for several days.