When Momma and Daddy lived in Swaziland, they had a Greek friend named Auntie Lefkia. She gave Momma this recipe. Greeks usually have fruit for dessert. They have treats with company with coffee (or tea?).
Honey Cookies–Melomakarona
Makes about 40 biscuits
- 1 stick butter
- 2 tsp grated lemon rind
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup oil (we used coconut)
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup self raising flour (we put 1 1/4 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt on the bottom of the cup and added flour to fill the cup)
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2/3 cups orange juice
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 Tbl chopped walnuts extra
- 2 tsp sesame seeds (we omitted because we did not have any)
Cream butter, lemon rind and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. Gradually beat in oil until light and fluffy.
Stir in sifted flours, nuts and juice in 2 batches, mix to a soft dough. We had to add more juice.
Roll level tablespoons of mixture into egg shapes, place on lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten. We just pressed them into the tablespoon and took the dough off. Before they were cooked, they looked like a mini football!
Stab biscuits (cookies) in the middle with a fork . Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes until lightly browned. Let sit on tray 5 minutes before placing on wire racks to cool.
Heat honey, water and sugar in pan until just warm. We did half the syrup recipe and still had lots left over. Dip biscuits in honey to coat and place on wire rack (over something that they can drip onto) and sprinkle with extra chopped walnuts.
They are very very good, especially the edges! They were fun making.