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Greek Honey-Walnut Balls (Melomakarona)

Greek Honey-Walnut Balls (Melomakarona)

Greek Honey-Walnut Balls (Melomakarona)

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Greek Honey-Walnut Balls (Melomakarona)
4.7 rating based on 12,345 ratings
4.7/5 (4)
Course: Filled CookiesCuisine: GreeceDifficulty: Difficult
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Traditional Greek honey and spice cookies stuffed with a walnut filling.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup honey

  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided

  • 1/2 cup orange juice

  • 1 2-inch-long cinnamon stick

  • 3 whole cloves

  • 1 cup ground walnuts

  • 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

  • 1 cup butter

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons brandy

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

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Directions

  • Combine honey, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, cinnamon stick and whole cloves in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes, uncovered. Strain syrup, discarding spices. Remove 1/4 cup syrup. Set aside remaining syrup.
  • Combine ground walnuts and orange peel in a medium bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup syrup; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds or until softened. Add half the flour. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup orange juice, brandy, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground nutmeg. Beat until well blended. Beat or stir in remaining flour.
  • Form dough into 1-1/4″ balls. Using finger, press hole in center of ball of dough. Place about 1/2 teaspoon ground nut filling in hole. Bring dough up around filling, enclosing completely. Place seam side down on greased baking sheet. With knife, crisscross top, forming an “x,” scoring surface only. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  • Bake at 350 for 18 to 20 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven; let stand on baking sheet 1 minute.
  • Meanwhile, rewarm reserved syrup gently over low heat. Brush tops of hot cookies with warm syrup, or dip tops into syrup. Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts. Place on wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Contributed by Dahlia61
  • Reviewers, please help us out and note the yield. Thanks!

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Review
I have been looking for a recipe for these Greek delights. Thank you so much for posting. They are so tasty. My God I can't make enough of them.
- Linda
Loved the recipe when I first saw it in a magazine many years ago. Unfortunately, I lost the magazine, and I'm delighted to have the recipe again!
- A Baker
these are also delicious!!! i love them and are great for parties. i personally love walnuts and this is a nutty treat everyone will love!
- baker4eva_baby!!
I am soo glad to find this recipe! My Italian Great Grandmother's best friend was Greek. Every year at CHristmas they would make tradtional Greek and Italian cookies. I cannot say Christmas is Christmas without these! This recipe is just as good as I remember. Thank you soooo much!!!!!!!!!!
- A Baker
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