Melomakarona are a cherished Greek holiday treat that embodies the warmth and joy of festive gatherings. These honey-soaked cookies, with their fragrant spices and rich flavor, are a staple on every Greek table during Christmas. The combination of aromatic cinnamon, cloves, and citrus zest, paired with the sweetness of honey, makes them irresistibly delightful.
Making melomakarona is more than just baking; it’s a tradition that fills your home with the aromas of the holiday season. From preparing the syrup to decorating with crushed walnuts, each step is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive spirit. Whether you’re making them for the first time or continuing a family tradition, melomakarona bring a touch of Greek magic to any celebration.
Melomakarona | Greek Christmas Honey Cookies
90
pieces20
minutes30
minutes300
kcal50
minutesMelomakarona are traditional Greek cookies soaked in honey syrup, infused with warm spices, and finished with a sprinkle of walnuts. Perfect for Christmas or any festive occasion!
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Ingredients
- For the Syrup
500 g 17.6 oz Water
700 g 24.7 oz Sugar
Juice of half a Lemon
2 2 Cinnamon Sticks
500 g 17.6 oz Honey
- For the Dough
200 g 7 oz Olive Oil
400 g 14 oz Vegetable Oil
200 g 7 oz Sugar
220 g 7.8 oz Orange Juice
80 g 2.8 oz Brandy (or extra orange juice)
10 g 0.4 oz Orange Zest
1200 g 2.64 lb All-Purpose Flour
20 g 0.7 oz Baking Powder
200 g 7 oz Fine Semolina
10 g 0.4 oz Baking Soda
2 g 0.1 oz Ground Clove
8 g 0.3 oz Cinnamon Powder
3 g 0.1 oz Salt
- To Serve
150 g 5.3 oz Chopped Walnuts
How to Make Greek Melomakarona
- For the Syrup
- In a saucepan, add water, sugar, orange peels, lemon juice, and cinnamon sticks. Stir gently.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat, add the honey, and stir well.
- Allow the syrup to cool completely for about 4โ5 hours.
- For the Dough
- In a bowl, combine sugar, sunflower oil, olive oil, and salt. Stir well.
- Add the brandy (or substitute with orange juice), ground cloves, and cinnamon. Mix thoroughly.
- Add semolina and orange zest and mix again.
- Combine baking soda with orange juice and add to the bowl.
- Mix baking powder with flour and incorporate it into the mixture.
- Gently knead the dough until it comes together. Let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Take a 35g piece of dough and shape it into an oval.
- Press it lightly on a patterned mold or create lines using a fork for decoration.
- Place it in a baking dish lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 170ยฐC (340ยฐF) and bake for 30 minutes.
- To Assemble
- Dip the warm cookies into the cold syrup for 10โ15 seconds to absorb the syrup.
- Place them on a rack to drain.
- Arrange them on a platter and optionally sprinkle with crushed walnuts.
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Nutrition Facts
90 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories168
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
8.2g
11%
- Saturated Fat 0.85g 0%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 28mg 2%
- Potassium 43.5mg 1%
- Total Carbohydrate
22.7g
8%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g 0%
- Total Sugars 12.6g
- Protein 1.8g 2%
- Calcium 8.5mg 1%
- Iron 0.5mg 3%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.