Melomakarona Recipe: Greek Honey Walnut Cookies

Name: Greek Honey Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 20 servings
Ingredients: 5, 1/4 cups (630 g) plain flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp ground clove; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; Zest of 2 oranges; 1 cup (240 ml) extra virgin olive oil; 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice; 2/4 cup (120 g) brown sugar; cup (80 ml) Gratsi White; 3 cups (600 ml) water; 2/3 cup (200 g) honey; 1 cup (200 g) white sugar; Juice of 1/3 lemon; 1 cup (150 g) walnuts, finely chopped

Every home has its own version, and every bite carries memories of Christmas gatherings.

By Alexandra's Home

@home.alexandras

December 16, 2025

By Alexandra's Home

Ingredients

Dry ingredients (flour mixture):
5, 1/4

cups (630 g) plain flour
1

tsp baking soda
1/2

tsp baking powder
1/4

tsp ground clove
1

tsp ground cinnamon
Zest of 2 oranges
Wet ingredients:
1

cup (240 ml) extra virgin olive oil
1/2

cup (120 ml) fresh orange juice
2/4

cup (120 g) brown sugar
cup (80 ml) Gratsi White
For the syrup:
3

cups (600 ml) water
2/3

cup (200 g) honey
1

cup (200 g) white sugar
Juice of 1/3 lemon
For topping:
1

cup (150 g) walnuts, finely chopped

Instructions

TOTAL TIME

1 hour

20 servings

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. These golden cookies are perfect alongside an Italian-inspired spread — try pairing them with arancini (Sicilian fried rice balls) or a platter of polpettine in agrodolce. For something a little different, Rustic Mushroom and Cheese Crostoni make a wonderful savoury contrast, and if you’re exploring the flavours of the season, don’t miss our 7 Must-Try Italian Winter Dishes. Pour a glass of Gratsi boxed wine and let the festivities begin.

Seven round, brown cookies topped with chopped nuts are arranged on parchment paper on a baking tray. Crumbled nuts are scattered around the cookies.

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

A wooden bowl filled with flour and a white silicone spatula, with a bowl of yellow batter and a whisk visible in the background.

A wooden zesting tool filled with orange zest sits on a wooden cutting board next to a glass container of orange juice.

A ball of yellowish dough sits in a white bowl with a blue rim, ready for further preparation or baking.

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.

A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds 25 evenly spaced, round, unbaked cookie dough balls with a golden-orange color, ready to go into the oven.

A baking tray lined with parchment paper holds freshly baked, round brown cookies arranged in neat rows. A striped kitchen towel and a bowl with oats are visible in the background.

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.

Seven brown, round dumplings with cracked tops are simmering in a pot of light yellow broth on a stovetop. The dumplings appear partially submerged and the liquid is gently bubbling.

Seven round brown patties are frying in oil in a white pan with an orange handle, creating bubbles around the edges of the patties.

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