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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.

    Melomakarona
  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.

    Melomakarona
  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)

    Melomakarona
  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.

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