Melomakarona (Greek Christmas honey cookies)

Ingredients

Dough ingredients

400 ml olive oil

180 gr sugar

125 ml orange juice

80 ml cognac or brandy

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp clove

1 tsp baking soda

1 well-washed and dry orange

About 700 gr plain flour

Syrup ingredients

220 gr sugar

180 ml water

250 ml honey

1 cinnamon stick

Orange peels

Garnish ingredients

Roasted and grated sesame seeds

Grated walnuts

Honey

Cinnamon

Clove (optionally)

Instructions

Trivia

Instead of olive oil, we can use whichever vegetable oil you prefer. The original recipe though, contains olive oil. For this quantity of ingredients, we make about 50 cookies which must be consumed within 15-20 days. For the garnish, use whatever (honey, sesame seeds, walnuts, cinnamon etc.) and as much as you wish (that’s why there is no quantity referance). “Καλά Χριστούγεννα και καλή χρονιά!” to all the Greeks wherever they are! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the people around the world!