Greek Christmas Macaroons

Greek Christmas Macaroons or melomakarona is a traditional Greek sweet that are made mainly during Christmas time. This recipe is of our grandmother and is the one that generations in our family follow. Enjoy and happy baking!!

Cookies Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Olea EVOO
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon Olea thyme honey
• 1/2 cup mixed orange/lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 table spoon cinnamon/clove mix
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 cup brandy
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup crushed walnuts (close to a fine powder)
• 2 lbs flour

Syrup Ingredients

• 2 lbs Olea thyme honey
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 350^oF
2. In a large bowl mix the Olea EVOO, sugar, honey, cinnamon/clove mix, orange zest, baking powder, baking soda, brandy and orange/lemon juice.
3. Gradually add the crushed walnuts and stir the mix slowly.
4. Gradually add the flour, work the mix and add more flower if needed.
5. Roll the dough in small oval shaped cookies. Shape the top with grates.
6. Place the cookies on a well oiled cookie sheet and bake at 350^oF for 30 minutes.
7. While the cookies are baked, prepare the syrup by bringing to a boil the honey and water and keep it to a slow boiling point.
8. Remove the foam.
9. When the cookies are ready, dip them in the boiling syrup and garnish them with a walnut/sugar mix. You can always add more syrup on top.
10. Enjoy with a cup of Olea wild mountain tea!!