Imagine the cozy aroma of cinnamon, orange, and honey filling your kitchen—this delightful scent signals the start of the holiday season in Greece, where making melomakarona, or Greek honey Christmas cookies, is a cherished tradition.
These soft, syrup-soaked cookies are made with hearty oats, flaxseed, and the warm spices of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Not only do they bring a sweet taste of the Mediterranean to your table, but they’re also naturally sweetened with extra virgin olive oil and Ikaria honey, a raw and nutrient-rich honey that’s central to the Ikarian diet. Known for its health benefits, Ikaria honey adds a wholesome twist to the classic cookie, enhancing it with antioxidants and immune-supporting enzymes.
Perfect for sharing with family and friends or gifting during the holidays, these cookies embody the festive spirit and flavors that make Greek holiday baking so unique. Let’s dive into this easy-to-follow recipe to make your own batch of melomakarona and bring a taste of Greece to your celebrations!
INGREDIENTS
For the Syrup
- 400 g water
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 5-6 whole cloves
- 1 orange cut in half (unwaxed)
- 400 g Ikaria honey
For the Cookies (dough)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 500 g oat flour
- 50 g whole-wheat flour
- 200 g extra virgin olive oil
- Zest from 2 oranges
- 200 g fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 4-5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 100 g Ikaria honey
For Topping
- Additional Ikaria honey
- Finely chopped walnuts
PREPARATION STEPS
Make the syrup first:
- Place a saucepan over medium heat, adding the water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange.
- Stir occasionally, bringing the mixture to a boil.
- Remove from heat, add the honey, and stir until it’s fully melted. Set the syrup aside to cool.
Prepare the dough for the Greek Christmas Honey Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F), using the fan setting. Prepare two baking trays by lining each with two layers of parchment paper.
- Add the oat flour to the bowl along with the whole-wheat flour, stirring well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, baking soda and baking powder until well mixed.
- Add the ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, continuing to whisk until fully incorporated. Then, add the honey, blending until dissolved.
- Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, stirring gently until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Shape the dough into about 40 cookies, each about 25 g. Press each cookie lightly with a fork to achieve the traditional imprint.
- Arrange the cookies on the baking trays (about 20 per tray). Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through to ensure even baking. The cookies should be crisp and golden.
- Remove the hot cookies from the oven and, working in batches, dip them into the cooled syrup for about 2-3 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to lift the cookies out of the syrup, transferring them to a serving platter. Let them rest for 20-30 minutes to absorb the syrup.
- Serve with a drizzle of Ikaria honey and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.
With each bite of these melomakarona, you’re savoring the flavors and health benefits of the Ikarian diet, where wholesome ingredients like Ikaria honey and olive oil have been staples for generations. These cookies not only fill your home with the heartwarming aromas of cinnamon, orange, and cloves but also bring the vibrant, healthy traditions of Greece’s Blue Zone into your kitchen. Whether you’re sharing them with loved ones, gifting them, or simply treating yourself, these Greek honey Christmas cookies are a delicious reminder of the season’s joys and the power of nature’s simplest ingredients. Enjoy your homemade taste of Greece, and may your holidays be as sweet and fulfilling as these healthy and delicious cookies!
Καλά Χριστούγεννα // Merry Christmas
Love and light,
