Greek Honey & Walnut Biscuits (Melomakarona)

Step 1

Step 1 In a medium size pot, add water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and orange halves. Boil for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved. Remove mixture from the stove and stir in the honey. Set aside to cool completely. Step 2 To make the biscuit dough: in a bowl whisk together the semolina, flour and baking powder. Step 3 In another large bowl, add orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanilla and mix well. To the mixture, add the bi-carb soda and whisk immediately for 10 seconds. Add water, both oils, orange zest and honey and whisk to combine. Step 4 Add the flour mix from step 2 to the wet mixture in step 3 and combine the two, kneading with your hands to make the biscuit dough. The dough will be smooth and slightly sticky, do not over knead it. Step 5 Pre-heat oven to 180°C and line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Take 30g of dough, about the size of a walnut, and roll dough into an egg shape. Place on baking tray, gently pressing down the top of each biscuit and prick each one 3 time with a fork. Step 6 Place baking trays in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the biscuits are lightly browned and cooked through. Continue with the rest of the dough. Step 7 When the biscuits come out of the oven, dip them immediately into the cold syrup, allow to soak for 10 seconds, then flip them over with a slotted spoon and allow them to soak for another 10 seconds. Remove the biscuits, allowing the excess to drip, place them on a platter and sprinkle with chopped walnuts and cinnamon.

Step 2

Step 1 In a medium size pot, add water, sugar, cinnamon, cloves and orange halves. Boil for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved. Remove mixture from the stove and stir in the honey. Set aside to cool completely. Step 2 To make the biscuit dough: in a bowl whisk together the semolina, flour and baking powder. Step 3 In another large bowl, add orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanilla and mix well. To the mixture, add the bi-carb soda and whisk immediately for 10 seconds. Add water, both oils, orange zest and honey and whisk to combine. Step 4 Add the flour mix from step 2 to the wet mixture in step 3 and combine the two, kneading with your hands to make the biscuit dough. The dough will be smooth and slightly sticky, do not over knead it. Step 5 Pre-heat oven to 180°C and line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Take 30g of dough, about the size of a walnut, and roll dough into an egg shape. Place on baking tray, gently pressing down the top of each biscuit and prick each one 3 time with a fork. Step 6 Place baking trays in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the biscuits are lightly browned and cooked through. Continue with the rest of the dough. Step 7 When the biscuits come out of the oven, dip them immediately into the cold syrup, allow to soak for 10 seconds, then flip them over with a slotted spoon and allow them to soak for another 10 seconds. Remove the biscuits, allowing the excess to drip, place them on a platter and sprinkle with chopped walnuts and cinnamon.