Description
These Melomakarona are traditional Greek honey cookies that are perfect for Christmas or any time you crave a sweet, syrup-soaked treat. Made with olive oil, orange juice, and warming spices, these cookies are a delightful combination of crunchy and moist textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies:
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brandy
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
Honey Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 strip orange peel
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, vegetable oil, orange juice, brandy, sugar, orange zest, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Form dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until a soft, oily dough forms. Shape into cookies.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and firm.
- Make syrup: In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, and orange peel. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Dip cookies: Dip hot cookies in warm syrup, then sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Let cool: Place cookies on a wire rack to absorb the syrup fully before serving.
Notes
- Melomakarona taste better after sitting for a day or two.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- For a richer flavor, use all olive oil and skip the vegetable oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
