Imagine a cookie that captures the essence of Greek tradition, warmth, and pure indulgence in every single bite. Melomakarona are not just ordinary cookies - they're a sensory journey through the rich culinary landscape of Greece, where each honey-soaked morsel tells a story of family, celebration, and centuries-old baking wisdom. These spiced, olive oil-based delights are so addictively delicious that you'll want to make them not just during the holidays, but all year round!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 200g olive oil
- 100g sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup orange juice
- 200g honey
- Chopped walnuts for topping
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients and bring them to room temperature. Sift the flour and baking powder together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together olive oil and sugar until well combined and slightly creamy. Add orange juice and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, incorporating cinnamon. Mix gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft, pliable dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to allow the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take small portions of dough and roll into oval-shaped cookies, about 2 inches long. Place them slightly apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cookies are golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges.
- While cookies are baking, prepare the honey syrup by heating honey in a saucepan until warm and slightly runny.
- Once cookies are baked, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Then immediately dip each cookie into the warm honey syrup, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Transfer honey-soaked cookies to a serving platter and generously sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts while still warm.
- Allow cookies to cool completely, letting the honey syrup be absorbed. The flavors will develop and intensify over several hours.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest dough consistency.
- Don't Overmix: Gently combine ingredients to keep the cookies tender and light.
- Honey Syrup Technique: Warm the honey slightly to help it absorb better into the cookies.
- Chopping Walnuts: Finely chop walnuts for an even, elegant coating.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the cookies absorb the honey syrup completely for maximum flavor depth.
- Storage Tip: These cookies actually improve in flavor over 1-2 days, so don't be afraid to make them ahead of time!
- Variation: For a modern twist, you can add a hint of orange zest to enhance the citrusy notes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
