Monday's Greek Recipe - Melomakarona and Kourabiedes

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!

Comments

[Walid]

Habebti.
Here we go for a fattening sweets of Christmas.
Great recipes and very good choice.
I will try to do both but not to eat any.God Bless.
With Love Walid.

[Constantinos]

If there is something I really miss at Christmas is these homemade melomakarona and kourabiedes. I guess I am too lazy and too clumsy to bake them myself. Yours look delicious. Enjoy them.

[Alexia M]

My favorite Christmas sweets! They look so yummy and festive. I must learn to make them one day. These recipes sound a lot more simple than the ones you posted last Christmas, so I'll try them on Christmas eve! Happy Christmas! Love that song!

[Stefania]

I like your melomakarona recipe. I have already baked mine but I will try to bake a few more using oil instead of butter.

[Andy]

I love your snow-white biscuits - hard to pronounce though! This is the greatest Christmas blog I've ever come across online.

Happy Christmas!

[John]

Happy Holidays~ John

[Phivos]

Kourapiedes and melomakarouna it's a must for our Christmas!

[Laura]

Sweet Christmas smells and a great Christmas blog, indeed! Thanks for sharing your festive mood, Anastasia.

[Karolina]

Due to the load of work, I didn't have time to make my own kourabiedes and melomakarona. But my mother sent me some from home and , in a way , I can feel that tempting smell of our homemade Christmas sweets. Can't wait to go back home for a few days. Filakia.

[Anastasia]

I am psychologiacally prepared! I know I'll gain at least 1 kilo over the Christmas break!

[Anastasia]

You never know... if you're good Santa may bring you some of mine!

[Anastasia]

Mine too , Alexia! The problem is I have the sweet tooth, so I bake them and then I eat most of them!

[Anastasia]

It's easy to pronounce: KOU-RA-BI-E-DES-the stress is on the first - e. Thanks a million, Andy. Happy Christmas!

[Anastasia]

Merry Christmas, John. Thanks for stopping by.

[Anastasia]

Absolutely, Phivo mou. The truth is this Christmas they're a great success!

[Anastasia]

Christmas is the happiest season of the year! I guess I am addicted to Christmas!

[Anastasia]

Oh! I'm so glad you'll be home for Christmas! Don't forget to email and tell me all about it!

[Constantinos]

I've just received your kourabiedes and melomakarona!! I couldn't believe my eyes! Thank you so much!They're delicious.Kala Xristougenna.