Melomakarona

Melomakarona

Melomakarona

  • Serves
    30 Cookies

About this recipe:

This recipe for Melomakarona, or Greek Honey Cookies, is a Christmas tradition in Greek households. We especially love them for the inclusion of ancient ingredient and superfood, honey. 

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • 3 cups AP flour
  • 1/4 cup semolina flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Kosterina Everyday Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 cup walnut or almond oil
  • 6 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoon cognac or brandy

For the Syrup:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 honey
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 whole cloves
  • Zest of one lemon
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Directions

For the Cookies:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a medium bowl, add zest, sugar, oils, orange juice and liquor. Mix with an electric mixer until combined.
  4. Add the dry and liquid ingredients together and mix with a wooden spoon until combined and a soft dough forms.
  5. PInch a tablespoon of dough from the mix and shape into an oval.
  6. Place each cookie on a parchment lined baking sheet and prink with the tines of a fork twice, to form small holes in the dough.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes.
  8. While the cookies are baking, make the syrup.
  9. In a small pot, add water, sugar and honey and mix to combine over medium heat.
  10. Once it begins to boil, reduce to a simmer and add the cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon zest. Simmer until the cookies are done.
  11. Remove the syrup from the heat and pour into a small bowl. Carefully drop the cookies into the syrup and flip to cover.
  12. Remove to a wire rack to dry and sprinkle with walnuts and cinnamon immediately.
  13. Store for up to a week in an airtight container.