Melomakarona Recipe (Greek Christmas Honey Cookies) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Kourabiedes and melomakarona? ›

Melomakarona are soft and moist, flavored with classic holiday spices and soaked in honey syrup. Kourabiedes, meanwhile, are tender, delicate, and covered in piles of powdered sugar. Below you'll find our recipes for Greece's most popular holiday treats, made with some of our favorite ingredients from Navarino Icons.

Historically, melomakarona are thought to be derived from the ancient and medieval makaria, which were eaten during funerals. Gradual changes in the recipe and the addition of dipping them in honey led to melomakarona which etymologically is derived from the Greek word for honey "meli" and "makaria".

Melomakarona are not to be refrigerated. Cover them well with plastic wrap or store in air tight containers so they don't dry out, and they'll last for at least a month - if they aren't eaten by then. If you do manage to resist eating these fast, they will taste even better with time.

The word melomakarona is pronounced meh-loh-mah-KAH-roh-nah and comes from the word meli, which mean honey in Greek and makaria which means to bless as this type of cookie was used in various religious ceremonies in antiquity.

There are many different types of Greek cookies, each with their own unique flavor and texture. Some of the most popular Greek cookies include koulourakia, melomakarona, paximadia, and kourabiedes.

Kourabiedes (singular kourabies), the other Greek Christmas staple, originated from Turkey, where they are called kurabiye. In Turkish etymology, the word is from the root “kuru” (dry) and “biye” (biscuit). It is a rounded butter cookie with pieces of almond inside, the entire outside covered in powdered sugar.

On Christmas day it's the name day of all Greeks named Χρήστος (Christos for men) and Χριστίνα (Christina for women). The New Year's day is the celebration of Άγιος Βασίλειος or commonly, Άη or Άι Βασίλης (Saint Basil).

History. Modern Christmas cookies can trace their history to recipes from Medieval Europe biscuits, when many modern ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, almonds and dried fruit were introduced into the west.

Greek Christmas honey cookies – Melomakarona

They started as a treat offered at funerals - a kind of pie, the shape of which was reminiscent of the current shape that melomakarona have, only then it was made of bread. This pie was called "makaria", a word that came from "makaronia" which meant a funeral dinner.

Melomakarona are traditional Greek Christmas cookies made with a combination of olive oil, honey, flour, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves. Kourabiedes are another popular Greek Christmas treat. They are buttery shortbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar.

How early can I make Christmas cookies? ›

As for the cookies—made for cookie swaps, church potlucks, household snacking, and Santa's plate—there is one little cheat: make now, freeze for later. You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December.

Almond biscotti is known for its excellent shelf life due to the double baking process, which removes most of the moisture and makes them crisp and dry. When stored in an airtight container, these cookies can stay fresh for several weeks, making them an excellent choice if you want to have cookies that last longer.

Unlike Western Countries where they eat Turkeys, in Greece, the main Christmas meal is often pork (and lamb). There are many traditional pork Christmas recipes that vary depending on the region. For the Christmas menu, I like a more modern version so get ready for Pork loin stuffed with prunes lemon, and honey.

Koulourakia — The Quintessential Greek Cookie. Koulourakia (or Koulouria) are one of the most revered traditional Greek desserts.

Kourabies is on the table all year round. It is the symbol of joy and housewives used to prepare it for baptisms and weddings. The white color of the powdered sugar seems to have made it an ideal choice for happy days, like the ones above and especially for Christmas.

Legend has it that during the Turkish occupation of Greece, all Kourabiedes had to be made crescent-shaped in honour of the Turkish flag. And that tradition has carried on.

Kourabiedes are known outside of Greece as a cookie, but they are almost too substantial to be called a cookie. They are a shortbread type of sweet, made of flour, sugar, butter and almonds and covered with powdered sugar, which make them look like a snowball.