Honey-Spiced Melomakarona: Greek Christmas Bliss
Indulge in the festive spirit of Greece with these delightful Melomakarona cookies, a traditional holiday treat that embodies the warmth and joy of Christmas. Made with a blend of light olive oil and butter, these cookies are infused with aromatic spices such as cinnamon and cloves, and the zesty brightness of orange peel. The coarse texture from the semolina paired with a luscious honey syrup creates a perfectly moist and flavorful bite. Once baked, the cookies soak overnight in a warm honey syrup, allowing them to absorb a sweet, aromatic essence that will fill your home with the inviting perfumes of the season. These cookies make for a heartwarming gift and are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the festive holidays, promising to bring a taste of Greek tradition to your celebration. Enjoy them fresh or store for months, as their flavor only deepens with time!
N/A
Servings
96
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
light olive oil or corn oil
1.5 cups (liquid)
butter
0.5 cups (at room temperature)
beer or orange juice
1 cup (liquid, can be more if needed)
ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon
ground cloves
1.5 teaspoons
oranges
2 (zest grated)
sugar
1 cup (for the dough)
fine ground semolina
2 cups
flour
6 cups (may use more or less depending on dough consistency)
baking soda
0.5 teaspoons
baking powder
0.5 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon
additional sugar for syrup
1.5 cups
Greek thyme honey
1.5 cups
water
1 cup
walnuts
0.75 cups (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the light olive oil (or corn oil), softened butter, beer (or orange juice), ground cinnamon, ground cloves, grated orange zest, and sugar. Beat the mixture until it's well blended and smooth.
2
Sift 1 cup of flour together with baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then slowly blend it into the oil mixture until integrated.
3
Gradually add the semolina, one cup at a time, folding it into the mixture until well combined.
4
Continue to incorporate the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until a firm dough forms. You may need slightly more or less flour than indicated, depending on humidity and other factors.
5
Switch to your hands to knead the dough gently, as an electric mixer will not be effective after the initial mixing.
6
Divide the dough into small portions and roll each into cylinders approximately 2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. Flatten each cylinder slightly with your hands.
7
Arrange the shaped cookies on greased baking sheets, leaving some space between them to expand during baking.
8
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until lightly golden.
9
While the cookies are baking, prepare the syrup: In a saucepan, mix together sugar, Greek thyme honey, and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmering for 4 minutes while skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
10
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, drizzle the hot syrup over them generously, or dip them in the syrup for 8-10 minutes, ensuring they are thoroughly soaked.
11
Transfer the soaked cookies to a large rimmed baking pan and sprinkle the finely chopped walnuts over the top. Let them sit overnight to absorb the flavors.
12
On the following day, place the Melomakarona on a decorative platter, adding additional chopped walnuts between the layers. Seal with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Enjoy the cookies throughout the holiday season, as they can last for months!
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
10.5g
Carbs
1g
Protein
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Melomakarona?
Melomakarona are traditional Greek Christmas cookies made with olive oil, flour, and honey syrup, often flavored with orange and spices.
What is the primary flavor profile of these cookies?
These cookies feature a warm blend of cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest, finished with a sweet Greek thyme honey syrup and walnuts.
What kind of oil should I use?
You should use light olive oil or corn oil to ensure a mild flavor that does not overpower the spices.
Can I substitute the beer in the recipe?
Yes, you can use orange juice as a substitute for beer if you prefer.
Why is semolina included in the dough?
Fine ground semolina provides a coarse texture that helps the cookies absorb the honey syrup effectively.
What temperature should the butter be?
The butter should be softened at room temperature before mixing it with the oil and sugar.
How many calories are in one cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 96 calories.
How do I know when I have added enough flour?
You should add flour gradually until a firm dough forms; the exact amount may vary based on humidity.
Can I use an electric mixer for the entire process?
An electric mixer is good for the initial blending, but you must switch to kneading by hand once the dough becomes firm.
How should the cookies be shaped?
Roll the dough into cylinders about 2 inches long and 1 inch in diameter, then flatten them slightly with your hands.
How long do these cookies bake?
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes until they are lightly golden.
What ingredients are needed for the syrup?
The syrup is made from a mixture of sugar, Greek thyme honey, and water.
How long should the syrup simmer?
The syrup should be brought to a boil and then simmered for 4 minutes while skimming off any foam.
When should I apply the syrup to the cookies?
The hot syrup should be drizzled over the cookies or the cookies should be dipped in it immediately after they come out of the oven.
How long should the cookies soak in the syrup?
If dipping them, let them soak for 8 to 10 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly saturated.
What is the traditional topping for Melomakarona?
Finely chopped walnuts are the traditional topping sprinkled over the soaked cookies.
Why must the cookies sit overnight?
Sitting overnight allows the cookies to fully absorb the honey syrup and develop their characteristic moist texture.
How should I store the finished cookies?
Store them in an airtight container or on a platter sealed tightly with plastic wrap.
How long do Melomakarona stay fresh?
These cookies are very durable and can be enjoyed for several months as their flavor deepens over time.
Is there a specific honey recommended?
Greek thyme honey is recommended for its unique aromatic quality which is essential for an authentic taste.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 6 grams of fat.
Do these cookies contain eggs?
Based on this specific recipe, no eggs are required to make the dough.
What are the total carbohydrates per cookie?
There are 10.5 grams of carbohydrates in each cookie.
Can I use different nuts instead of walnuts?
While walnuts are traditional, you could experiment with other nuts, though it will change the classic Greek flavor profile.
What leavening agents are used?
The recipe calls for both baking soda and baking powder to help the cookies expand.
How much sugar is in the dough?
The dough uses 1 cup of sugar, with additional sugar used later for the syrup.
What is the protein content?
Each cookie provides about 1 gram of protein.
Should I grease the baking sheets?
Yes, the shaped cookies should be arranged on greased baking sheets to prevent sticking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 16 ingredients used to make these cookies and their syrup.
Can these be given as gifts?
Yes, they make for a heartwarming and traditional holiday gift due to their long shelf life and festive flavor.