Melomakarona are one of Greece’s most beloved holiday treats—soft, fragrant cookies infused with orange and warm spices, soaked in honey syrup, and finished with walnuts. Every home has its own version, and every bite carries memories of Christmas gatherings, cozy kitchens, and the comforting aroma of cinnamon and citrus. This recipe is simple, deeply traditional, and made with olive oil, just the way it’s been done for generations.

STEP 1

Prepare the dough:

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: flour, orange zest, baking soda, baking powder, clove, and cinnamon. Mix well so the zest and spices are evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, brown sugar, and Gratsi white wine until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix gently just until combined—do not overwork the dough, as this will make the cookies dense

STEP 2

Shape and bake:

Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). Shape the dough into small oval or egg-shaped cookies, about 45 g (1.6 oz) each, and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 45 minutes, until lightly golden, using top and bottom heat (conventional oven setting).
Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely, about 1½ hours. This step is important so they absorb the syrup properly.

STEP 3

Prepare the syrup:

In a saucepan, combine the water, honey, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 1 minute, then reduce the heat to low and keep the syrup warm.

STEP 4

Soak the cookies:

Place a few completely cooled cookies at a time into the warm syrup. Turn them gently to coat both sides and soak for about 10 seconds on each side. If you prefer softer melomakarona, leave them in the syrup longer.

STEP 5

Finish and serve:

Arrange the syrup-soaked cookies on a serving platter. While still warm and glossy from the syrup, sprinkle generously with chopped walnuts.

The Gratsi White in the dough helps balance the sweetness, highlights the citrus and spice, and gives the cookies a more aromatic flavor. Enjoy your melomakarona, shared with family, friends, and plenty of holiday warmth