Melomakarona (Μελομακάρονα)

• Prep time: 25 mins

• Cook time: 25 mins

• Total time: 50 mins

• Servings: 30 cookies

• Country of origin: Greece

• Description: Soft egg-shaped spiced olive oil cookies soaked in honey syrup and topped with finely chopped walnuts.

• Presentation: Stacked on festive platters, sprinkled with crushed walnuts and ground cinnamon.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 cup olive oil

  • 1/2 cup orange juice

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/4 cup cognac or brandy

  • Zest of 1 orange

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves

  • 1 cup honey, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water (for syrup)

  • 1 cup finely chopped walnuts (for topping)

• Step-by-step directions:

  • Whisk olive oil, orange juice, sugar, cognac, and orange zest in a large bowl.

  • Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves together.

  • Combine wet and dry ingredients gently; do not overmix.

  • Shape dough into small oval logs and press light crosshatch patterns on top with a fork.

  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until deep golden.

  • Boil honey, sugar, and water for 5 minutes to make syrup.

  • Dip hot cookies into warm syrup for 20 seconds, transfer to a rack, and top immediately with crushed walnuts.

• Optional variations: Dip half of each cookie into melted dark chocolate once cooled.

• Cooking tips: Do not overwork the olive oil dough, or the cookies will become tough instead of soft.

• Nutrition facts:

  • Calories: 160 kcal

  • Fat: 8g

  • Carbohydrates: 21g

  • Protein: 2g