Melomakarona- how to make a delicious Christmas cake

Description

A traditional Christmas recipe for soft cookies that are dipped into a honey syrup. This recipe is my grandmother's, and it has thrilled many!

Ingredients

• 1/2 litre olive oil
• 1/2 litre corn oil
• 250 ml fresh orange juice
• 2 tblsp grated orange zest
• 1 tblsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tblsp ground cloves
• 2 level tsp baking soda
• 4 level tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup cognac/brandy
• 500 g sugar
• 2 kg flour
• 500 g walnuts

For the syrup:

• 1 kg honey
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Methods/steps

1. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and knead.
2. Shape the melomakarona.  Take a walnut sized piece of dough and shape it into an oval.
3. Bake in a preheated oven, 180 degrees, approximately 30 minutes.
4. Prepare the syrup by bringing the syrup ingredients to a boil in a large pot.
5. Submerge the cookies into the hot syrup, a few at a time, for about 5 minutes.  If you prefer them softer, let stand longer.
6. Arrange on a serving platter, scattering finely chopped walnuts over every layer.

Additional Tips

The consistency of the dough should be rather stiff.
The syrup should be simmering gently, while the melomakarona are being dipped.  Enjoy!

from : http://www.sintagespareas.gr/sintages/melomakarona1.html

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