And so this is Christmas and that time of year again in Greece and Cyprus to feel the divine smell of homemade Christmas sweets like kourabiedes and melomakarona. Despite my very busy schedule at work, I made time and baked some. But I used different recipes this year - easy to bake - and just as delicious.
A. MELOMAKARONA - HONEY COOKIES
Ingredients:
- 3 cups pure sunflower oil
- 8 cups flour
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 a cup brandy
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbs cinnamon and clove powder
- 5-6 tbs baking powder
- 1 tbs salt
For the syrup
- 1 cup honey
- 1.5 cup water
- 1.5 cup sugar
DIRECTIONS
- Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well together. The dough must feel oily.
- Form round or oblong shapes and put them in a pan. Do not butter the pan!
- Bake for about 30 minutes.
- When they're cold enough prepare the syrup as follows: Boil the honey, water and sugar till they get foamy. Put the melomakarona in the hot syrup for about 15-20 seconds, drain them and then wrap them in the crushed walnuts mixed with cinnamon.
B. KOURABIEDES - GREEK CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 cup butter
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tbs brandy
- 1 cup blanched almonds roasted and finely chopped
To Finish
- 1 cup icing sugar
- rose water
Directions
- Beat the butter and the sugar together in the blender and add the egg yolks and the brandy.
- Gradually add the flour and the baking powder.
- Using a spoon mix the almonds.
- Take small amounts of dough snd shape in round , oblong or crescent shapes.
- Place them in a non-stick unbuttered pan and bake in a medium oven for 30-40 minutes.
- When they are cold enough sprinkle them with rosewater and wrap them in icing sugar.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS !
Kala Xristougenna - Merry Christmas!
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