Melomakarona (Orange, Honey, Cinnamon, Walnut Olive Oil Cookies)

These flavor rich Greek holiday cookies are scrumptious--and vegan! Traditional honey-dipped treats with orange, cinnamon, and walnuts.

Ingredients

• -- For the syrup: --
• 1 cup (250g) water
• 1 3/4 cups (350g) sugar
• 1 orange, halved
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons Greek honey
• -- For the cookies: --
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 1/4 cups (265g) EVGE extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup (200g) fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 cups (600g) all-purpose flour
• -- For topping: --
• Greek thyme honey
• Chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: MAKE SYRUP (day before): Combine water, sugar, and cinnamon stick in saucepan. Bring to boil and cook for 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Remove from heat. Stir in honey and add orange half. Let cool, then refrigerate overnight (or at least several hours). THE SYRUP MUST BE COLD!
3. Step 3: MIX WET: In large bowl, combine olive oil, orange zest, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Step 4: ACTIVATE SODA: In separate container, combine orange juice with baking soda - it will foam up. This is expected.
5. Step 5: COMBINE: Add foaming orange juice to oil mixture and stir well.
6. Step 6: ADD FLOUR: Gradually fold in flour until you have a soft dough. Don't overmix.
7. Step 7: SHAPE: Form into oval shapes about thumb-sized. Place on parchment-lined sheets. Score tops lightly with a fork.
8. Step 8: BAKE: 350F (175C) for about 30 minutes until golden brown.
9. Step 9: SOAK: While cookies are HOT from oven, dip 5-6 at a time into COLD syrup, about 30 seconds per side. Don't leave too long or they'll get soggy.
10. Step 10: TOP: Place on platter. Drizzle with additional honey and sprinkle generously with chopped walnuts.

Tips & Notes

• The syrup must be cold and the cookies hot from the oven for optimal texture
• Best enjoyed fresh within two weeks
• Time-consuming but manageable - worth the effort!

Traditional Greek holiday cookies featuring orange, honey, cinnamon, and walnuts in olive oil.

1. SYRUP: Combine sugar, water, and cinnamon stick; boil one minute.
2. Remove from heat, stir in honey and orange half. Cool and refrigerate (preferably overnight).
3. COOKIES: Mix olive oil, zest, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.
4. Combine orange juice with baking soda separately (it will foam).
5. Blend juice mixture into oil mixture, then gently fold in flour until just incorporated.
6. Preheat oven to 350F. Form dough into finger-length ovals on parchment-lined sheets.
7. Score tops lightly. Bake 30 minutes until golden.
8. While cookies remain hot, dip 5-6 at a time into cold syrup (30 seconds per side).
9. Top with honey drizzle and chopped walnuts.