When Christmas came around I knew exactly what my mom was going to bake. She made Greek Christmas cookies, or as I knew them, melo-ma-karona, our house felt special. With a little bit of effort, this recipe is delicious.

Anna Loutsos

Ingredients:

2cups vegetable oil

1cup sugar

1cup orange juice

1tbls. Orange rind shavings

¼ cup brand7 ½-8cups flour

2tsp.baking powder 1tsp. baking soda

1tsp.cinnamin

½ tsp. nutmeg

Topping: optional

1cup finely chopped walnuts mixed with one teaspoon cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 350,  beat together sugar, oil, orange juice, rind and brandy. Sift all dry ingredients then add them to oil mixture and mix then gently knead.  Pinch off small amount about the size of an egg, form into little patties, then roll into oblong rolls. Place on un-greased baking sheet and bake at 350for about 30 minutes. Let cookies cool completely (dip cool cookies into hot syrup). Prepare syrup: heat 2 cups honey, 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water, bring to a boil then let simmer for about 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, so as it won’t boil over, skim some of the foam off the top. Keep syrup on the burner and keep it on the lowest setting, dip about 6 cookies at a time and let them soak about 2 minutes, no more. Remove onto wax paper and sprinkle with nut mixture. Serve them individually in paper cupcake liners and display on serving platter. Store remaining in airtight container.