Melomakarona
Ingredients
- 150 ml olive oil
- 100 g sugar
- zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon, pinch of clove
- 450 g flour
- Syrup: honey, sugar, water, cinnamon stick
- chopped walnuts, to finish
A Greek Christmas staple, melomakarona are oval, orange-and-cinnamon-scented cookies made with olive oil rather than butter, baked until firm, then dipped warm into a honey syrup — traditionally thyme-scented honey — until soaked through, and finished with a generous sprinkle of chopped walnuts while still glossy from the syrup.
Method
Whisk the olive oil, sugar, orange zest and juice together.
Mix in the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and clove.
Gradually work in the flour until a soft, workable dough forms.
Shape into small oval cookies and place on a lined tray.
Bake at around 180°C (350°F) for 20-25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden.
Meanwhile, make a syrup by simmering honey, sugar, water and a cinnamon stick for a few minutes; keep warm.
Once the cookies have cooled slightly, dip each one into the warm syrup for a few seconds on each side.
Sprinkle generously with chopped walnuts while still glossy from the syrup.
