Melomakarona
Greece
About Melomakarona
Melomakarona are Greek Christmas cookies made with olive oil, orange juice and warm spices, then soaked in honey syrup and topped with chopped walnuts. They are soft, moist and fragrant.
The dough is made with olive oil instead of butter, flavored with orange zest, cinnamon and cloves, and sometimes a splash of brandy. The cookies are shaped into ovals and baked, then dipped in a hot syrup of honey and sugar while still warm.
Melomakarona are baked in nearly every Greek home in December, together with kourabiedes, buttery cookies covered in powdered sugar. They keep well for weeks and are offered to guests throughout the holidays.
Ingredients
- flour
- olive oil
- orange
- sugar
- cinnamon
- cloves
- honey
- walnuts