Greek Christmas Cookies - Melomakarona
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Traditional Greek Christmas Cookies - Melomarkarona are made the olive oil and flavored with orange, cinnamon, cloves, honey and topped with walnuts.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 6 dozen
Ingredients
  • FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH
  • 3 cups extra-virgin Greek olive oil
  • 1 cup plus 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp. soda
  • ½ cup fresh strained orange juice
  • 1 cup water
  • 11 cups all-purpose flour
  • FOR THE SYRUP
  • 2 cups Greek honey
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • Strained fresh juice and 1 strip of zest from 1 large lemon
  • FOR THE TOPPING
  • Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
  • 1½ to 2 cups finely ground walnuts for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
  2. Lightly oil several baking sheets (or use non-stick silpat sheets)
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer outfitted with a whisk, beat the olive oil with 1 cup of sugar at medium-high speed until creamy
  4. Dilute the baking soda in the orange juice
  5. Add the orange juice mixture, and water to the olive oil–sugar mixture and whisk for 30 seconds
  6. Replace the whisk attachment with the paddle attachment
  7. Add the flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft, malleable dough takes shape
  8. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes
  9. Shape the dough into oblong mounds, about 2 inch long and 1 inch thick
  10. Using the tines of a fork, prick the tops lightly to form a decorative pattern
  11. Place on the oiled baking sheets, mounded-side up, about 2 inches apart
  12. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned
  13. Remove from the oven, cool slightly in the pan, and transfer to racks to cool completely
  14. While the melomakarona are cooling, make the syrup
  15. Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil
  16. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes
  17. Dip the melomakarona in the hot syrup and place on a platter
  18. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and ground walnuts and serve
Recipe by Kitoula's Greek Food Journal at https://kitoula.com/2018/12/greek-christmas-cookies-melomakarona/