Greek Honey Cookies Recipe – Easy Traditional Melomakarona 2026

Name: Greek Honey Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 cup olive oil; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup sugar; ¼ cup orange juice; Zest of 1 orange; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves (optional); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup honey; ¼ cup water; ¼ cup sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 strip orange peel; ½ cup chopped walnuts

I still remember the first time I baked Greek honey cookies with my grandmother in her sunny kitchen, the aroma of cinnamon and honey filling the air. These melomakarona recipes are quick, easy, and family-friendly, perfect for creating cozy moments with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Greek honey cookies recipe, a festive treat, or a simple sweet to enjoy with coffee, this recipe is comforting, customizable, and sure to delight.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re searching for the ultimate Greek honey cookies recipe, you’re in for a treat. These melomakarona cookies are soft, aromatic, and soaked in a rich honey syrup, making them irresistible for any occasion. Quick and easy to prepare, this Greek honey cookies recipe brings the authentic flavors of Greece into your kitchen without complicated steps. Perfect for family-friendly baking, these traditional Greek honey cookies are customizable with nuts or spices, ideal for busy weeknights, festive celebrations, or simply enjoying a sweet, comforting dessert. Whether you’re exploring traditional Greek cookies recipes or looking for a melomakarona recipe without semolina, this step-by-step guide ensures delicious results every time. With simple Greek honey cookies ingredients, minimal prep, and maximum flavor, you’ll love sharing these melomakarona Greek cookies with friends and family. Indulge in this best Greek honey cookies recipe and experience the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and that classic honey glaze that makes Greek cookies so memorable.

Ingredients for This Recipe

Every ingredient in this Greek honey cookies recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect melomakarona. Olive oil and butter give the cookies a rich, tender texture, while sugar and orange juice add natural sweetness and a hint of citrus aroma. Ground cinnamon and cloves provide the warm, traditional spice notes, and baking soda helps the cookies rise just right. The honey syrup, made from honey, sugar, water, cinnamon, and orange peel, soaks the cookies with a sweet, fragrant glaze. Finally, chopped walnuts add a satisfying crunch and an authentic finishing touch. Using these simple Greek honey cookies ingredients ensures a recipe that is easy, quick, and family-friendly, making these melomakarona Greek cookies a must-try for any occasion or holiday celebration.

Ingredients for Greek honey cookies — Greek Honey Cookies Made Easy: Authentic Melomakarona Recipe 13

🛒 Ingredients (for ~24 cookies):

For the Cookies:
1 cup olive oil
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup sugar
¼ cup orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups all-purpose flour

For the Honey Syrup:
1 cup honey
¼ cup water
¼ cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 strip orange peel

For Topping:
½ cup chopped walnuts

How to Make This Recipe

Making Greek honey cookies is a rewarding process that fills your kitchen with the sweet aroma of honey, cinnamon, and orange zest. This melomakarona Greek cookies recipe uses simple Greek honey cookies ingredients to create soft, aromatic cookies soaked in honey syrup for maximum flavor. By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll achieve the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and texture, creating traditional Greek honey cookies that are quick, easy, and family-friendly. Whether you’re exploring melomakarona recipes or searching for the best Greek honey cookies, these instructions ensure delicious, authentic results every time.

🛒 Steps:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup olive oil, ½ cup softened butter, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup orange juice, and the zest of 1 orange until smooth.

Step 3: Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves (optional), and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Gradually add 3 cups all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.

Step 4: Shape the dough into oval or round cookies (~2 inches each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake cookies for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly.

Step 6: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup honey, ¼ cup water, ¼ cup sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, and 1 strip of orange peel. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to create the honey syrup.

Step 7: While cookies are warm, dip each cookie in the honey syrup for 10–15 seconds, then place on a wire rack to drain.

Step 8: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped walnuts on top of each cookie while syrup is still sticky.

Step 9: Serve and enjoy your soft, aromatic melomakarona Greek honey cookies.

Greek honey cookies baking in oven — Greek Honey Cookies Made Easy: Authentic Melomakarona Recipe 14

Expert Cooking Tips

Mastering Greek honey cookies requires understanding how each ingredient enhances flavor and texture. Olive oil and butter ensure a soft, tender cookie, while sugar and orange juice bring sweetness and a subtle citrus aroma. Cinnamon and cloves add warm, traditional spice notes that define authentic melomakarona Greek cookies. Baking soda gives the cookies the perfect rise, and soaking them in a fragrant honey syrup ensures moist, aromatic results. Chopped walnuts add crunch and complete the traditional Greek honey cookies experience. These expert tips help you create the best Greek honey cookies every time, making this melomakarona recipe quick, easy, and family-friendly.

💡 Expert Tips:

Use high-quality olive oil and fresh butter for richer flavor in your Greek honey cookies.
Make sure orange zest is fresh to intensify the citrus notes in your melomakarona Greek cookies.
Sift the flour to avoid lumps and ensure a soft, uniform cookie dough.
Bake until golden but slightly soft in the center to achieve perfect texture.
Dip warm cookies briefly in honey syrup for even absorption without becoming soggy.
Sprinkle chopped walnuts immediately after dipping so they stick to the syrup.
Customize spices: add more cinnamon or a pinch of cloves for traditional flavor.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain sweetness and texture.

Stack of Greek honey cookies with honey glaze — Greek Honey Cookies Made Easy: Authentic Melomakarona Recipe 15

FAQs

What are Greek honey cookies?

Greek honey cookies, also known as melomakarona, are traditional Greek treats soaked in a sweet honey syrup and flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest. They are soft, aromatic, and perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or a sweet snack with coffee or tea. This Greek honey cookies recipe captures the authentic flavors of Greece in every bite.

Can I make melomakarona Greek cookies without semolina?

Yes, you can make melomakarona without semolina by using only all-purpose flour. This version of Greek honey cookies results in a softer, melt-in-your-mouth texture while keeping the traditional honey syrup and spice flavors intact.

How many calories are in Greek honey cookies?

Calories vary depending on size and syrup absorption, but a typical melomakarona cookie contains around 150–200 calories. Using less syrup or smaller cookies can reduce calorie content while maintaining the classic Greek honey cookies taste.

Can I make these Greek honey cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely. Greek honey cookies can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to a week. The honey syrup keeps them moist, making them ideal for preparing ahead of holidays or special occasions.

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This Greek honey cookies recipe is a delicious way to bring traditional Greek flavors into your home. Soft, aromatic, and soaked in sweet honey syrup, these melomakarona Greek cookies are perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or simple everyday treats. Using simple Greek honey cookies ingredients and easy steps, you can create cookies that are both quick and family-friendly. Try this recipe today and experience the authentic taste of the best Greek honey cookies, perfect for sharing and enjoying with loved ones.