Greek Christmas Honey Cookies: Melomakarona

Ingredients
For the Syrup:

1 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 and 1/4 cup water
1 cinnamon stick
peel of an orange
1 cup honey
The Cookie Dough Dry Ingredients:

3 and 1/2 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (150g) fine semolina flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
the zest of 2 oranges
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For the Cookie Dough Wet Ingredients:

1 cup (250ml) light olive oil or veg. oil
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (185 ml) fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
For the Topping:

3/4 cup ground walnuts
1 heaping teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 °F, 180 °C.

Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.

Make the Syrup: In a saucepan combine the sugar, water, cinnamon, and orange peel. Bring to a boil and as soon as the sugar dissolves add the honey. Remove from the heat, stir and set aside to cool.

Make the Dough: Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk them together.

In another bowl, combine all of the wet ingredients and whisk together.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the bowl. Gently mix together until a dough has formed. Do not over-mix or the cookies will become oily.

Form the Cookies: Take a piece of dough (walnut-sixed, about 35-40g) and roll it in your hands. Form it into an oval and then press the tips in so that they are rounded and they don't burn.

Place the dough on the prepared baking trays and then flatten the tops a bit. Pierce the top of each cookie with a fork to create a decorative pattern (see video).

Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crisp.

Using a slotted spoon immediately dip the hot cookies (about 4-5 at a time) into the cool syrup. Let them soak for 20-25 seconds flipping them over a-few times.

Transfer the cookies to a serving tray and pour the remaining syrup on top.

Combine all of the topping ingredients into a small bowl and mix them together. Sprinkle over the cookies and serve!

Kali Orexi.

Notes
The cookies will keep fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.

Music Used:
Greek Sun Time (With Intro)
ITEM ID: 66582698
By: tonyanthony

Its All Greek
ITEM ID: 84456733
By: LowNotes

[joanmanos]

I went and watched my husband's aunt make these so I could learn. She's 101 now. By the time I got to her house she had already measured and sifted her flour so I had no idea how much she used. I saw her old handwritten recipe on the table, it was written in Greek. I took a picture of it so my husband could tell me the amount of flour to use. Well, she didn't have flour written down anywhere on her recipe!!! She kept telling me you just add enough until it feels right. Her instructions for the nut mixture you sprinkle on top said to add cinnamon "until it smells nice". So, I still have never made these. Thank you for your recipe. I will now try and I'll even bring her some :)

[cindychristie]

I made these today, nearly the same, but added a little butter with oil and a few crushed walnuts to mixture!: Mine were delicious and hubby loved them, but they are very delicate and i think i left them in syrup a bit too long as my first few fell apart, and then i dipped them for a shorter time and this helped! 💕

[JimmyTheGreek]

I have three recommendations for your great recipe ... which I make myself for all festive occasions.
First, do not dip the Melomacarona into hot syrup they will crumble and fall apart when you dip them in hot syrup. dip them in cool syrup
Second, If you brush some honey on the Melomacarona the chopped walnuts will stick better !

Third, add some orange-based brandy (Grand Marnier liquer) to the cooled-down syrup because the heating in the oven will destroy (remove) the orange juice flavours!
As for the name Melomacarona: it is derived from the words Meli (Honey in Greek) and Macaron (Pasta-like in Italian).
And the recipe was imported to the Ionian Sea Islands (Eptanysia) by the Venetians from the East Med. Sea, most likely from Lebanon.

[innotafanofanyofjlbjlbissd]

Υασου Δήμητρα . Καλά Χριστούγεννα . I can’t wait to attempt this

[tassnicopoulos]

I made them today for our Orthodox Easter this Sunday, they came out amazing…I made them for Christmas as well, greetings from Australia Dimitar and Kalo Pascha🙏

[ashleyroman]

My Pappou had always loved making these for the holidays until he unexpectedly passed in September (this year) and I as his Oldest granddaughter has to step in to make these for my family in honor of him. Couple years ago, him and I even made these for my bake sale as I worked at Old Navy in 2014. I miss and loves you Pappou Spiro! <3 <3

[ZGOMANE]

Very concise and good recipe, they turned out good!!! Thanks Dimitra.

[marche]

My absolute favorite cookie! Thank you for making these, 😋❤

[camizahn]

So excited to make these this weekend! A fave with my family, I'm surprising them this Christmas! My yia yia made the best melomakarona ever but we all know how recipes are handed down in Greek families! lol. Your recipes are always amazing Dimitra, I've tried so many and each one comes out perfectly. I'm confident this recipe will be just as perfect! Thank you, Dimitra!

[celinaa]

The best recipe fhos are so delicious omg with a cold glass of milk is like what else can I ask for ..wow thanks so much ❤

[linabernardo]

Thank you Dimitria, I saw you last year, super, God bless 🙏🕊️🫶❤️ buon natale ...

[oneitalia]

❤️Dimetra never disappoints❤️
🇮🇹👍🇮🇹👍🇮🇹👍🇮🇹👍🇮🇹👍🇮🇹

[krisk]

My favorite! Thanks alot for this video and Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄❤

[catherinebrown]

Hi, Dimitri! I haven't commented in a while, but I'm a steadfast fan!💕😄 I just wanted to wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!😄

[AussieAngeS]

I’ve heard of these cookie Dimitra but never had them before, those look so tasty, I will have to give them a go one day. I’m so used to the Italian cookies my mother used to make but it’s time to try new cookies, I will make them. Thank you

[debbiesedereas]

look delicious will try and easy to make

[spartanmoon]

These biscuits are AMAZING, my mother makes them just like you...and the best part is, you can eat these while fasting!!! Thank you Dimitra!🇬🇷💕🌿🙏

[tanvav]

TY sweet Dimitroula mou! I'm gonna try to make these soon Happy Holidays

[evgeniaboubouli]

Cooking honey lowers its quality, and it loses essential enzymes and nutrients. So add the honey when you take it off the heat. Good job Dimitra!!!!

[elisahatzerian]

Hi Dimitra, thanks for sharing. Another of my Xmas favourites in my mind but no one to ask for the recipe. Merry Christmas. ☃️