Melomakarona (Greek Honey and Walnut Christmas Cookies)
Local name: Μελομακάρονα
In short: Soft, spiced olive oil and orange cookies dipped in hot honey syrup and topped with chopped walnuts, a Greek Christmas favorite. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 36 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 36
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 170 kcal
Melomakarona are Greece's Christmas cookies: soft, oval, spiced cookies made with olive oil, orange juice and semolina, dipped in hot honey syrup and topped with walnuts. They are traditionally made without eggs or dairy, so they suit the fast before Christmas. The cookies turn moist and aromatic after a day in the tin. Dip them while the cookies are cool and the syrup is hot.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking trays with parchment. Whisk the olive oil, sugar, orange juice, brandy and orange zest in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves.
- Mix the flour, semolina, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Add to the bowl and mix gently with your hands until a soft, oily dough forms. Do not overwork it.
- Pinch off pieces of about 30 g (1 oz) and shape them into ovals about 6 cm (2 1/2 inches) long. Set on the trays 2 cm (3/4 inch) apart and press the tops lightly with a fork.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
- For the syrup, simmer the honey, sugar, water, cinnamon stick and orange peel for 5 minutes. Skim off any foam and keep the syrup hot.
- Dip the cookies, a few at a time, in the hot syrup for 30 seconds per side. Lift them onto a rack, sprinkle with walnuts and cinnamon and let them drain and set for 1 hour.
Tips
- Dip cool cookies in hot syrup for only 30 seconds. Longer makes them soggy, and warm cookies in warm syrup fall apart.
- Use mild olive oil, because strong extra virgin oil tastes harsh in a sweet cookie. Store in a tin for up to 2 weeks.
Questions and answers
Are melomakarona vegan?
They are made without eggs or dairy, but the honey syrup means they are not strictly vegan. Use sugar syrup to make them fully vegan.
How long do melomakarona keep?
In an airtight tin they keep 2 weeks and stay moist. They also freeze well for 2 months.
Why are my melomakarona hard?
The dough was overworked or the cookies were overbaked. Mix just until the dough comes together and bake only until golden.
How long does it take to make Melomakarona (Greek Honey and Walnut Christmas Cookies)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Melomakarona (Greek Honey and Walnut Christmas Cookies)?
About 170 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 23 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 170 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
