Melomakarona Andonias

Servings: 1 pie Difficulty: Advanced
Traditional Greek honey-soaked semolina cookies with warm spices and almonds
Melomakarona Andonias recipe image

Melomakarona Andonias

Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 1 pie Calories: 1528.8
Dietary:

Description

These traditional Greek holiday cookies are dense, moist, and incredibly flavorful. Made with a dough of flour, semolina, and olive oil, they are baked until golden and then soaked in a fragrant syrup infused with honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The result is a soft, cake-like cookie that tastes like autumn in every bite. Topped with toasted almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, Melomakarona are perfect for Christmas, Easter, or any time you crave a taste of the Mediterranean.

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the olive oil, sugar, cognac (or wine/port), orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Whisk until smooth.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Wet your hands with water or oil to prevent sticking. Take a small amount of dough and roll it into an oval shape, then flatten slightly with your palms. Place on the baking sheets, leaving space between cookies.
  7. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Do not let them brown too much.
  8. While cookies bake, make the syrup. In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar, water, cinnamon stick, clove, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  9. Bring the syrup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and discard the cinnamon stick and clove.
  10. Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes.
  11. Spoon the warm syrup over the warm cookies. Let them sit and absorb the syrup for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
  12. In a small pan, toast the almonds until golden. Mix with 1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
  13. Before serving, sprinkle each cookie with the almond mixture.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 1 pie


Amount Per Serving
Calories 1528.8kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4.2g7%
Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 8.4mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 319.2g107%
Dietary Fiber 11.3g46%
Sugars 1.3g
Protein 42.0g84%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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