Melomakarona (Christmas cookies from Greece)
10 servings
120 minutes
Melomakarona is a traditional Greek Christmas cookie soaked in fragrant honey syrup and covered with nut sprinkles. Its roots trace back to ancient Hellas when honey was considered a gift from the gods. The delicate texture of the dough with a hint of citrus combines with the warm aroma of cinnamon and nuts, creating an exquisite balance of flavors. Dipping the hot cookie into sweet syrup fills it with depth and richness. These treats often adorn festive tables in Greece, served with tea or coffee and given as tokens of warm wishes. Preparing melomakarona is not just baking; it's a ritual that connects generations in an atmosphere of coziness and joy.
1
For the test, we need 1 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of vegetable oil, 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of semolina, 4 cups of flour, baking soda, 1 tsp of cinnamon and the zest of 1 orange. Mix dry ingredients separately and wet ones separately. Then gradually add the liquid part to the dry mixture and knead the dough!
- Concentrated orange juice: 1 glass
- Vegetable oil: 1 glass
- Sugar: 2 glasss
- Semolina: 1 glass
- Wheat flour: 4 glasss
- Soda: 1.5 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
- Orange zest: 1 piece
2
Line the baking tray with paper, shape and place the balls on the tray (about 1 tablespoon of dough for each ball). Before putting in the oven, press with a fork to create a ridged pattern (this makes it easier for the nut topping to stick). Bake at 180 degrees for about 15 minutes.
3
While the cookies are baking, we make syrup from 1 cup of sugar, the juice of one orange (from which the zest was removed), water, and honey. Put all this in a pot and bring to a boil over very low heat.
- Sugar: 2 glasss
- Oranges: 1 piece
- Water: 1 glass
- Flower honey: 0.5 glass
4
We also need a sprinkle. For this, mix 1 cup of ground walnuts with 1 tsp of cinnamon.
- Walnuts: 130 g
- Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
5
The last stage. Here there are two options. Either the syrup is hot and the cookies are cold, or the syrup is cooled and the cookies are hot. You need to 'bathe' the cookies in the syrup! Dip a few pieces in the syrup, pour well from all sides, and place on a plate. While the syrup is still fresh, sprinkle with nuts!!
- Sugar: 2 glasss
- Walnuts: 130 g
6
Let it sit so the cookies can soak properly and be ready to eat.