Greece: Making Melomakarona Greek Christmas Cookie

I recently visited Greece again and stayed on the Athenian Riviera which is about a half hour away from the centre of Athens.  One of the highlights was making Melomakarona a Greek Christmas Cookie with The Greek Key.

Here is the recipe so you can have a go at making Melomakarona at home.  They are worth it – trust me!!

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Melomakarona

Greek Christmas Cookies

Servings: 50 cookies

Author: Heidi Roberts

Ingredients

• 1 kilo Self Raising Flour
• 375 ml oil (312.50ml sunflower oil & 62.50ml olive oil)
• 250 gm sugar
• 125 ml fresh orange juice
• 4 Tbsp brandy
• 4 Tbsp fine semolina
• ¼ tsp ground clove
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• ½ tsp orange zest
• For the syrup:-
• 250 ml water
• 250 gm sugar
• 250 ml honey
• walnuts for decoration
• honey to drizzle

Instructions

1. Make the syrup in advance by mixing in a sauce pan 250ml water, 250gm sugar and 250ml honey. Heat until the sugar has dissolved. Leave to cool

2. In a large bowl combine the oil, sugar, semolina, spices and orange zest.

   

3. In a small bowl put the orange juice and add the baking soda and stir OVER the bowl.

4. Pour the foaming orange juice onto the other ingredients in the bowl

5. Combine gently.

6. Start adding the flour until the mixture becomes thick but not stiff. It shouldn't stick to your hands so you may not need all the flour.

   

7. Shape dough into small oval shapes. Use your little finger to make a small indent in the bottom of the dough.

8. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 180°C/350°F for about 25 minutes (depends on the size)

   

9. As soon as they are ready and have slightly browned take them out of the oven and pour the cold honey syrup on top of them.

   

10. Serve them topped with walnut pieces and a drizzle of honey.

These little Christmas cookies are perfect ‘one-bite’ size!  They would be nice at parties served with a cold glass of sherry or other aperitif.

This recipe is reproduced with permission of The Greek Key.  The Greek Key is located on the Athenian Riviera about half an hour outside the city centre of Athens.  They can arrange a wide selection of Greek experiences, cooking and baking sessions, day trips in the local region or can personalise an experience for you and your friends.

I have had some great times in Greece – if you would like to read more about my Greek experiences have a look at some other posts.

Spending Ash Monday in Athens

48 Hours in ….. Athens

Crete: Spending the Day with Handpicked Greece

I was a guest of The Greek Key to make the Melomakarona.  I was not paid to attend this session or to write a positive review.  All opinions and photographs are my own.  No photographs may be reproduced in any manner without my written permission.