Melomakarona and Kourabiedes Recipes: Traditional Greek Christmas Cookies
Learn how to make two classic Greek Christmas cookies—Melomakarona and Kourabiedes. These traditional treats are perfect for the holidays, featuring honey-drenched flavors and buttery, sugar-dusted goodness.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 1 cup olive oil
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup brandy optional
- Zest of 1 orange
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
For the Syrup:
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
For Garnish:
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix olive oil, sugar, orange juice, brandy, and orange zest.
- In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Gradually add to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Shape the Cookies:
- Take small portions of dough and shape them into oval logs.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
Prepare the Syrup:
- While cookies bake, combine honey, sugar, water, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove the cinnamon stick.
Soak and Garnish:
- Dip warm cookies into the syrup for 10–15 seconds each.
- Place on a tray and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
- Enjoy! Serve with Greek coffee or tea.