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Melomakarona

Melomakarona are Greek cookies traditionally made during the Christmas holidays. The word melomakarona is pronounced meh-loh-mah-KAH-roh-nah and comes from the word meli, which mean honey in Greek and makaria which means to bless

Description

Melomakarona are not refrigerated. Cover them well with plastic wrap or store in tins so they don't dry out, and they'll last for several days.

Ingredients
  • Syrup
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 strip of orange peel
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Filling
  • 16 ounces ground walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Dough
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup orange juice, strained
  • 2 teaspoons Cognac
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 6-7 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Garnish
  • 2 ounces ground walnuts
Directions
  • Prepare the syrup: In a sauce pan bring to a soft boil the 1 1/2 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cup honey, 1 1/2 cup water and orange strip. Simmer for 10-12 minutes. Add lemon juice and set aside.
  • Prepare the dough: mixing the 1 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup sugar together, creaming until smooth.
  • Add to the mixture the 1 1/2 cup orange juice, baking soda, cognac, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  • Sift 2 1/2 cup flour with the baking powder.
  • Add the flour gradually to the oil mixture while stirring with a wooden spoon. Do not add all of the flour at once.
  • The dough should not be dry, knead the dough just until it comes together. Do not over knead, the dough is a soft, fluffy texture and sticks to your hands.
  • Let the dough rest for 20 minutes.
  • Roll the dough in little balls, the size of walnuts.
  • With fingers press one side of the dough flat and shape into an oval.
  • Add 1 teaspoon filling to the center of the oval and fold over and seal.
  • Place the cookies well spaced on a greased cookie sheet. Place on the middle rack in the oven and bake until browned (about 15-20 minutes}.
  • Remove cookies from pan and cool them until ready to soak in the syrup.
  • Re-heat syrup, dunking the cooled cookie into the warm syrup. Remove and liberally garnish with chopped walnuts.

Categories

DessertGreekVegetarianPastryHolidaySpicy