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Traditional Greek Honey Cookies

Traditional Greek Honey Cookies: Irresistible Festive Treats

Traditional Greek Honey Cookies, or Melomakarona, are irresistibly sweet treats filled with honey and spices, perfect for festive celebrations.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 130

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice ensure it's fresh for the best taste
  • 1 cup olive oil can be substituted with half sunflower oil for a lighter flavor
  • 1 cup honey use local honey for a unique taste
  • 1/2 cup water helps combine all ingredients easily
  • 1 cup granulated sugar use regular granulated sugar for best results
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon a staple in traditional Greek desserts
  • 1 teaspoon ground clove ensure it’s finely ground
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated is preferable
  • 1 teaspoon vanillin powder or vanilla extract use extract if preferred
  • zest of 1 orange use a microplane for fine zesting
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda ensure it's fresh
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder ensure it's fresh
  • 1 cup fine semolina essential for Melomakarona
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour ensure it's measured properly
For the Syrup
  • 1 cup sugar essential for an authentic finish
  • 1 cup honey use the same type as in the dough for consistency
  • 2 cups water combines with sugar and honey to create the syrup base
  • 1 piece cinnamon stick remove before soaking cookies
  • a few whole cloves use sparingly for balance

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling Rack

Method
 

Prepare Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of fresh orange juice, 1 cup of olive oil, 1 cup of honey, and 1/2 cup of water. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar along with 1 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon, ground clove, and ground nutmeg. Mix until the sugar dissolves completely.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Gradually incorporate 1 cup of fine semolina into the mixture, stirring gently. Sift together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, combining until a soft, workable dough forms.
Shape Cookies
  1. Divide the dough into equal pieces, roughly 40-45 grams each. Roll these pieces into oval shapes and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to create decorative criss-cross patterns on top of each cookie.
Bake
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Once heated, bake the cookies for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn a lovely golden brown.
Prepare Syrup
  1. In a saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of honey. Add in a cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves, and some strips of orange peel. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook for about 4 minutes without stirring.
Soak Cookies
  1. Once the cookies are baked, dip each warm cookie into the syrup, holding it submerged for a few seconds on each side. Place the soaked cookies on a cooling rack to drain off excess syrup.
Serve
  1. Drizzle additional honey over the cookies and sprinkle finely chopped walnuts on top. Serve them with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 50mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 50IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for best flavor, and store cookies in an airtight container to maintain moisture.

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