Melomakarona
Melomakarona
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:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add zest, sugar, oils, orange juice and liquor. Mix with an electric mixer until combined.
- Add the dry and liquid ingredients together and mix with a wooden spoon until combined and a soft dough forms.
- PInch a tablespoon of dough from the mix and shape into an oval.
- 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.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- While the cookies are baking, make the syrup.
- In a small pot, add water, sugar and honey and mix to combine over medium heat.
- Once it begins to boil, reduce to a simmer and add the cinnamon sticks, cloves and lemon zest. Simmer until the cookies are done.
- Remove the syrup from the heat and pour into a small bowl. Carefully drop the cookies into the syrup and flip to cover.
- Remove to a wire rack to dry and sprinkle with walnuts and cinnamon immediately.
- Store for up to a week in an airtight container.