Description
Melomakarona are traditional Greek honey cookies infused with orange and warm spices, soaked in a sweet honey syrup and topped with crunchy walnuts. These festive cookies are a staple during the holiday season and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cookies:
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 7 cups all-purpose flour (approx.)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts for garnish
For the honey syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip of orange peel
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, vegetable oil, orange juice, brandy, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. Mix well. Add baking soda dissolved in orange juice, baking powder, and gradually add flour until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and bake: Roll the dough into oval-shaped cookies, flatten slightly, and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
- Prepare the syrup: In a saucepan, simmer honey, sugar, water, cinnamon, and orange peel. Remove cinnamon and peel.
- Soak the cookies: Dip baked cookies in hot syrup, coat with walnuts, and let cool.
Notes
- Melomakarona improve with time, store in an airtight container for up to a week.
- For a twist, drizzle with melted dark chocolate.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, Soaking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
