INGREDIENTS
For the syrup
- 300 g water
- 500 g honey
- 5 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 250 g fresh orange juice
For the dough
- 350 g olive oil
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tbsp ground cloves
- Zest of 2 fresh oranges
- 2 tbsp honey
- 200 g orange juice
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 800 g soft flour
EQUIPMENT
- Small saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Glass for dissolving baking soda/powder
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking tray with parchment
- Oven
- Serving platter
METHOD
- For the syrup
- In a small saucepan, simmer all syrup ingredients except half of the honey and the orange juice for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, add the remaining honey and the 250 g orange juice, and set aside.
- For the dough
- In a large bowl combine the olive oil, cinnamon, cloves, orange zest and honey.
- In a glass, dissolve the baking soda and baking powder in the orange juice.
- Add the contents of the glass to the first mixture and stir gently to combine.
- Add the flour and mix lightly until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Shape the cookies as desired. Place on a parchment-lined tray and bake at 180°C for about 25 minutes.
- Dip them immediately in warm syrup as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with crushed walnuts and a drizzle of fresh honey.
NOTES
Always syrup the cookies while hot for perfect absorption.