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+ servings
Golden honey-dipped cookies topped with crushed nuts on a serving plate.

Melomakarona Cookies

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Traditional Melomakarona Cookies—Greek honey cookies flavored with orange, cinnamon, and olive oil, then soaked in syrup and topped with walnuts. A sweet and fragrant classic for the holidays.
40 Servings

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • oz extra virgin olive oil
  • oz sunflower oil
  • 2 lb all-purpose flour
  • 7 oz granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
  • oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • teaspoon ground cloves
  • Finely chopped walnuts for garnish

For the Syrup:

  • 14 oz water
  • 14 oz granulated sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 10½ oz honey

Instructions
 

Prepare the Syrup

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and cinnamon stick. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves. Add the honey, stir to combine, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely before use.

Prepare the Dough

  1. Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, pour in the olive oil and sunflower oil. Mix on low speed to blend the oils evenly. Gradually add the flour, then incorporate the sugar, baking powder, orange zest, orange juice, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves. Continue mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.

Shape the Cookies

  1. Divide the dough into small portions and shape each piece into an oval, approximately 2 inches in length. To create a traditional texture, gently press the tops of the cookies against the coarse side of a grater or lightly score them with a fork. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each for even baking.

Bake the Cookies

  1. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes, or until they develop a deep golden-brown color and a firm texture. Remove from the oven and immediately proceed to the syrup step while they are still hot.

Soak and Finish

  1. Dip each hot cookie into the cooled syrup for approximately 10 seconds, ensuring it absorbs the syrup evenly. Transfer to a wire rack to drain any excess. Once all cookies have been soaked, drizzle with a small amount of honey and sprinkle generously with finely chopped walnuts.
  2. Allow to rest for 1 hour before serving to let the syrup settle and the flavors blend beautifully.

Notes

To make Melomakarona Cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose baking blend that contains xanthan gum or a similar binding agent. Ensure that your baking powder and spices are certified gluten-free. Follow the same preparation steps, noting that gluten-free doughs may be slightly softer in texture and may require gentle handling when shaping.
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