Melomakarono (μελομακάρονο, plural: μελομακάρονα, melomakarona), also known as finikia, is a Greek egg-shaped dessert.
The word “melomakarona” is a combination of the words “meli,” meaning honey, and “makarona.”
“Makarona” derives from the ancient word “makaria” μακαρία, a piece of bread offered after a funeral.
In ancient times, Melomakarona was served around Christmas as a “kerasma” (sweet) to enjoy during fasting.
The typical ingredients are flour or semolina, sugar, orange zest, brandy (or similar drink), cinnamon, cloves, and olive oil.
Since they contain no eggs or dairy, Melomakarona are vegan.
Right after baking, they are dipped for a few seconds in a cold syrup made of honey and sugar.
Sometimes they are garnished with walnut crumbs, pistachio, or chocolate.
It is a traditional Greek sweet mainly prepared during the Christmas festivities such as:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 20/25 cookies
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Greek
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients
- 7 1/4 cups flour (or semolina)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 oranges
- 3 1/2 tbsp brandy (or similar)
- to taste ground cinnamon
- 4 ground cloves
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 1 3/4 cups honey
- 2 cups sugar
Steps
Combine the flour with the olive oil, add the sugar, orange zest and juice, brandy, cinnamon, and ground cloves.
Work the mixture and create oval-shaped cookies.
Bake in the oven at 320°F for 35 minutes.
For the syrup: combine the water with the sugar and honey.
Bring to a boil for about 20 minutes until the syrup thickens.
Let it cool.
Dip the cookies while they are still warm.
If desired, garnish with walnut crumbs, pistachio, or chocolate.
Honey in Greece
Greece holds the top spot for the country with the highest number of beehives per acre of land.
The Greek honey is considered one of the best in the world
