Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 300 g water; 500 g honey; 5 whole cloves; 2 cinnamon sticks; 250 g fresh orange juice; 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

TRADITIONAL GREEK MELOMAKARONA

Traditional Greek Christmas honey cookies, dipped in aromatic syrup and topped with crushed walnuts. Soft, fragrant and irresistibly festive.

TIME: 50 MINUTES

DIFFICULTY: MEDIUM

SERVINGS: 40 cookies

NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Calories

190

Fats

8 g

Saturates

1 g

Carbs

28 g

Sugars

18 g

Protein

2 g

Fibre

1 g

Salt

0 g

Nutrition values are estimated per serving and may vary depending on the ingredients used.

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.