Melomakarona

🔥 Prep

• Measure out 500 g of flour and place it in a mixing bowl.
• Measure out 200 ml of olive oil and set aside.
• Weigh out 100 g of sugar.
• Measure out 100 ml of fresh orange juice.
• Measure out 200 g of honey.
• Chop 100 g of walnuts roughly.

🔥 Cook

• 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
• 2. In a large bowl, mix the 500 g flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and ½ tsp ground cloves until combined.
• 3. In another bowl, whisk together 200 ml olive oil, 100 g sugar, 100 ml orange juice, 2 tbsp brandy (optional), and the zest of one orange for 2 minutes until smooth.
• 4. Combine the wet and dry mixtures, knead the dough until it comes together, about 2 minutes.
• 5. Shape the dough into small oval cookies, about 3 cm long, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• 6. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until golden brown.
• 7. While the cookies bake, prepare the syrup: in a saucepan, combine 200 g honey, 100 ml orange juice, 100 g sugar, a cinnamon stick, and a few cloves; bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• 8. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately dip each warm cookie into the hot honey syrup, letting them soak for 10 seconds per side.
• 9. Transfer the soaked cookies to a wire rack, sprinkle with the chopped 100 g walnuts, and let cool completely.

🔥 Serve

• Arrange the melomakarona on a festive platter, drizzling any remaining honey syrup over the top.
• Serve with a cup of Greek coffee or tea, and optionally a side of fresh orange segments.