Koulourakia (Butter Cookies)

From Charity

1 lb. butter
1 c. Crisco
6-7 egg yolks beaten
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. orange juice
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
8-9 c. flour
1 1/2 c. cake flour

Melt butter and Crisco together; beat with electric mixer. Add sugar and eggs and continue mixing. Sift dry ingredients together and add to mixture alternately with orange juice and flavoring. Knead well and shape as desired. Brush with mixture of egg yolk and milk. Dip in sesame seeds (optional) and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

We usually shape them by rolling a long "log" and either into a circle/loop/doughnut shape, or bending log at middle and twisting the ends around each other 2-3 times (like a twisty tie)