{"id":"recipe_54e829cf21","slug":"melomakarona-greek-honey-cookies","title":"Melomakarona (Greek Honey Cookies)","description":"Exquisite traditional Greek Christmas cookies scented with orange, cinnamon, and cloves, drenched in a honey syrup and garnished with crushed walnuts.","serves":40,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":55},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups water","name":"Water","quantity":480,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 cups granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for syrup","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1/2 cup honey","name":"Honey","quantity":170,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Thyme honey is preferred","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"whole","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 cup olive oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":240,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"extra virgin","notes":"mild flavor","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"3/4 cup orange juice","name":"Orange Juice","quantity":180,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"freshly squeezed","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"5 cups all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":625,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.25,"usUnit":"quart","form":"all-purpose","notes":"sifted","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 cup fine semolina","name":"Semolina","quantity":160,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"fine","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 teaspoon baking soda","name":"Baking Soda","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powder","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"1/2 cup crushed walnuts","name":"Walnuts","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"crushed","notes":"for topping","group":"Topping","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a pot, combine water, sugar, and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then stir in the honey and remove from heat. Let the syrup cool completely.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"Combine water, sugar, and the cinnamon stick","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, and baking soda until well combined.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Slowly add the flour and semolina to the wet mixture. Mix by hand gently until a soft dough forms. Do not over-knead.","group":"Dough Preparation","title":"Slowly add the flour and semolina","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Dough Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Shape the dough into small ovals (about 30-40g each) and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a fork to gently press the top to create small indentations.","group":"Shaping","title":"Shape the dough into small ovals","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.","group":"Baking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Baking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"While the cookies are still hot, dip them into the cold syrup for about 10-15 seconds per side. Remove and place on a platter.","group":"Soaking","title":"While the cookies are still hot, dip them","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Soaking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Sprinkle immediately with crushed walnuts while the honey syrup is still sticky.","group":"Finishing","title":"Sprinkle immediately with crushed walnuts while the honey syrup is still sticky","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Always make the syrup first so it has time to cool completely before the hot cookies come out of the oven. Do not overwork the dough; mix just until the flour is incorporated to keep the texture light and crumbly.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["bake"],"equipment":["large bowl","pot","baking sheet","parchment paper","whisk","fork"],"diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":40,"unit":"piece","note":"approximate yield"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup can be made several days in advance and kept in the fridge. The cookies themselves improve in flavor after 1-2 days of soaking."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Do not refrigerate as they will become too hard.","reheatingNotes":"No reheating required; serve at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_54e829cf21%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a40b1411-326c-4336-8b00-7564a1eb9bdd","imageAlt":"Melomakarona (Greek Honey Cookies) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["Greek","honey","cookies","Christmas","Mediterranean","holiday cookies","orange","walnuts"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Melomakarona (Greek Honey Cookies)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:11:51.718Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:11:51.718Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_7118ab4802","slug":"lemon-mint-juice-limonana","title":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana)","description":"A quintessential Mediterranean and Middle Eastern refresher, this vibrant drink perfectly balances tart lemons, cooling fresh mint, and a touch of sweetness.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Middle Eastern","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7118ab4802%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=abf73a52-7932-4dea-82b6-3486a9e6b6ea","imageAlt":"Lemon Mint Juice (Limonana) — recipe cover","tags":["refreshing","mint","lemonade","cold-drink","summer","citrus"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_05b3803820","slug":"yogurt-with-honey","title":"Yogurt with Honey","description":"A creamy and nutritious Mediterranean staple featuring thick Greek yogurt drizzled with golden honey and topped with crunchy walnuts.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["main","dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein","mediterranean"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_05b3803820%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d3ada203-2be2-41f4-b9ee-23856051fabb","imageAlt":"Yogurt with Honey — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","high protein","quick","mediterranean diet","vegetarian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":3},{"id":"recipe_df33fac33f","slug":"basbousa","title":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup","description":"A traditional Mediterranean semolina cake soaked in aromatic syrup, known for its moist, grainy texture and sweet floral notes.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":105,"activeMinutes":45},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Egyptian","Levantine"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_df33fac33f%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=4671c365-003f-4487-8802-e08193fc80e9","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Orange Blossom Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","cake","syrup","middle eastern","sweet","floral"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":11,"stepCount":7}]}