Prepare to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Greece, where the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked Melomarkona fills the air! Melomkarona is a traditional Greek honey cookie that is prepared during the holiday season, and its origins can be traced back to ancient times. These delicious cookies are characterized by their soft and chewy texture, delightful flavors of honey and spices, and a coating of chopped walnuts. Join us as we explore the intricacies of making these delectable treats, providing you with step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your Melomarkona turns out perfect. Let's dive into the sweetness of Greek tradition and learn how to create these unforgettable honey cookies that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
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GREEK HONEY COOKIES (MELOMAKARONA)
Make and share this Greek Honey Cookies (Melomakarona) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Greekgal
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 40 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cream butter and oil until completely mixed, add confectioner's sugar, add orange juice slowly, add vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, add 2 cups flour and beat, add two more cups flour, and then add the rest. You may not need all of the flour, just don't let it get too thick, knead the dough lightly in the bowl.
- Using teaspoon, scoop out some of the dough and roll in your palms and flatten slightly in your hands. Bake at 350 for 25 minute and cool.
- Boil syrup ingredients for 5 minute in LARGE saucepan, as it will foam up, then dip each cake (I do several at one time) in the saucepan, turning a couple of times with a wooden spoon, place the cookies on waxed paper and sprinkle with walnut and cinnamon mixture. Cool completely before storing. Best stored in tins. These cookies will keep in tins for a couple of months, but I can't stay out of them long enough to last that long!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 273.5, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 12.2, Sodium 26.7, Carbohydrate 34.8, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 20, Protein 2.4
MELOMAKARONA (GREEK OLIVE OIL-HONEY COOKIES)
These classic Greek holiday cookies are made from a combination of olive oil and semolina. This gives them a cakelike texture that's crumbly yet still very moist, thanks to a soak in a fragrant, honey-sweetened syrup spiked with cinnamon and orange. Traditionally topped with chopped walnuts, you can use any nuts you like; pistachios are especially pretty with their pale green edges.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Time 50m
Yield About 4 dozen cookies
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make the syrup: In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, cinnamon sticks and clove with 1 1/3 cups water. Cut orange in half and place in saucepan, flesh down. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Set aside to cool completely, leaving the cinnamon, clove and orange in the syrup until ready to use.
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees and line 4 baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick liners, or lightly grease the pans with olive oil.
- Finely grate the zest of 1 orange into a large mixing bowl. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into a measuring cup. If it doesn't measure 1 cup (240 milliliters), squeeze in enough juice from the other orange. Add juice to the bowl with the zest, then mix in olive oil, sugar, brandy, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and salt.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, semolina and baking soda. Gradually, fold in the flour mixture into the olive oil mixture. With a wooden spoon, mix until flour is just evenly incorporated.
- Using your hands, roll dough into 1 1/2-inch ovals or egg-shapes, and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Using the palm of your hand, lightly flatten dough. Bake until cookies are golden, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through for even baking.
- Right before the cookies are done, remove the orange, cinnamon sticks and clove from the syrup. As soon as the cookies are out of the oven, and working in batches, dunk the hot cookies in the cool syrup, gently flipping them for about 10 seconds so they can absorb the syrup. Remove cookies from the syrup using a slotted spoon and arrange them on a tray or plate. Sprinkle the center of each cookie with a generous pinch of nuts, patting them lightly so they stick to cookies.
- Once cool, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To prevent the cookies from sticking together, place sheets of wax or parchment paper between cookie layers.
MELOMAKARONA COOKIES
Greek spice cookies.
Provided by Chanelle Carl
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 1h15m
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, cloves, baking soda, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Beat butter in a separate bowl until light and fluffy; add sugar and mix well. Beat egg yolks and orange juice together in another bowl. Stir egg mixture into the butter mixture; add flour mixture slowly, mixing after each addition. Add honey. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Chill dough until firm enough to work with, about 30 minutes. Shape into small ovals and place a few inches apart on baking sheet sheets. Flatten slightly; cookies will spread.
- Bake in the preheated oven until light golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat honey, water, and sugar together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar is dissolved. Let syrup cool. Mix walnuts, cinnamon, and cloves together in a bowl to make the topping.
- Dip cookies into the cooled syrup for 10 to 15 seconds per side. Sprinkle walnut topping over syrup and let dry completely. Store in muffin cups or between layers of parchment paper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 133.2 calories, Carbohydrate 17.5 g, Cholesterol 26.5 mg, Fat 6.9 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.2 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 39.1 mg, Sugar 10.8 g
MELOMAKARONA (GREEK HONEY COOKIES)
Melomakarona are traditionally served in Greece at Christmastime. Using extra virgin olive oil may add a bit too much flavour to the cookies so regular Greek olive oil is best if you can get it. Greek amber honey can be purchased at Mediterranean grocery stores. This is a recipe from Christine Cushing. Enjoy!
Provided by Nif_H
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 34 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- COOKIES ~.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Beat together first 4 ingredients. Sift flour, baking powder, cloves, and baking soda 3 times.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients to the oil mixture and knead gently.
- Pinch off 2 1/2 tablespoons portions of dough and form into little flat oblongs (football shapes). Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet 2-inches apart.
- Bake in oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
- SYRUP ~.
- Boil honey, sugar, water, and cinnamon for 5 minutes.
- Pour syrup over hot melomakarona cookies.
- Allow to soak for 15 minutes, take them out of the syrup and place on large plate.
- Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 274.6, Fat 11, SaturatedFat 1.3, Sodium 31, Carbohydrate 43.5, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 30.8, Protein 2.4
Tips:
- Use high-quality honey for the best flavor. Look for honey that is thick and has a rich amber color.
- Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough.
- Chill the dough before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape.
- Bake the cookies until they are golden brown. Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly.
- Dip the cookies in honey syrup while they are still warm. This will help the syrup soak into the cookies and give them a delicious glaze.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Melomakarona are a delicious and festive Greek cookie that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their rich honey flavor and crispy texture, melomakarona are sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.
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