Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Honey Cookies)

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350F / 180C.

Step 2

Zest the orange, then combine the zest with the sugar in a large bowl.

Step 3

Pour the oils into the sugar/orange mixture and beat until well combined. Then add the orange juice and brandy and beat again.

Step 4

Sift the flour with the baking powder and baking soda, then add to the liquid little by little until a stiff, wet dough forms. You may not need to use all the flour, or you may need a little more.

Step 5

Pull off a walnut-sized piece of dough and shape it into a ball / oval in your hands, then place it on a baking sheet. Use a fork to flatten the dough and make a criss-cross pattern on it. Keep shaping and flattening balls of dough until it is all used up.

Step 6

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cookies are lightly browned.

Step 7

While the cookies are in the oven, make the syrup. Combine the honey, sugar, water, cinnamon, lemon peel and cloves in a saucepan, then bring to the boil.

Step 8

Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes until the syrup has thickened slightly.

Step 9

Take out the cinnamon, lemon peel and cloves and stir in the lemon juice.

Step 10

While the cakes are still very warm, float them in the syrup a few at a time, turning them over to make sure they soak up plenty of liquid.

Step 11

After about 30 seconds, take the cookies out with a fork or spoon with holes in. Put them on a serving plate.

Step 12

Press some walnuts into the top and sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over them.

Step 13

Once you've covered your plate, you can pile the others on top of each other if you like - this is how they are usually sold and served in Greece!