Vegan Christmas Cookies (Melomakarona) | Greek Desserts

We all love sweet treats during the Christmas Period. I usually crave sweet treats all day during my Vacation. These Vegan Greek Desserts for Christmas made with walnuts, agave syrup, and aromatic spices. It’s a light and crunchy Christmas treat that’s just as delicious and easy to make.

Ready for Melomakarona - Greek Desserts

I've spent years making these Christmas Cookies which are a popular treat during the Festive time in Greece. Originally They are flavored with honey, thus their name "Melomakarona". Believe me, I can eat a whole plate of them! I am so addicted! Dangerous addicted! No prescription required. My second Greek sweet treat is Kourabiedes, almond cookies.

Origin of these Greek Desserts

The Name of Melomakarona it means Honey Macarons. Macaroni comes from the Greek word "macaronia", a dish served in the Medieval times at a funeral dinner (after a funeral). In the newer years, a favorite sweet has been added to our favorite honey and so we arrived at our famous melomakarono (= melo + macaron). It was established as a Christmas sweet since our honey is considered as a symbol of welfare and creation since ancient times! That's how good and joyful we expect to bring each new year. 

These Melomakarona are on less sweet side and Vegan. The Greeks love sugar and prefer to put a lot of sugar and honey on them. If you think it's not possible to make Vegan Melomakarona, you haven't tried mine. 🙂 Crunchy outside and juicy inside. Heavenly delicious!

Your first priority before making this sweet is to prepare the syrup. The reason is that needs to be cold enough in order to deep inside it the cookies. Remember! Cold syrup, Hot cookies.

How to make Melomakarona (Greek Desserts) - Step by Step

SYRUP

Step 1: Place the water, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and the 2 cloves to boiling.

Step 2: Once the syrup gets a boil, remove it from the fire and add the Agave syrup. Stir and let the syrup to cool down completely.

COOKIES

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 374 Fahrenheit.

Step 4: Put the juices, oil, sugar, spices powder, soda, orange zest (except flour and semolina) into a large bowl and mix them with a good wire. (Liquid mixture).

Step 5: In another bowl mix the flour with semolina (Solids mixture).

Step 6:  Add the liquid mixture to the solids mixture and mix very gently with the hands for very little (8-10 seconds) to avoid damaging the mixture.

MORE GREEK RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

• Vegan Spanakopita (Spinach pie)
• Gigante Beans Recipe (Baked Giant Beans)
• Greek Pita Bread
• Greek Lagana Bread with star anise
• Vegan Christmas Cookies

★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below! I would love to hear back from you

📖 Recipe

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4.50 from 2 votes

Vegan Christmas Cookies (Melomakarona) | Greek and Low in Calories

We all love sweet treats during the Christmas Period. I usually crave sweet treats all day during my Vacation. These Vegan Greek Desserts for Christmas made with walnuts, vegan butter, orange zest, and brandy. It’s a light and crunchy Christmas treat that’s just as delicious and easy to make.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Greek

Keyword christmas cookies, Μελομακάρονα

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 30 cookies

Calories 196kcal

Author Penelopi

Ingredients

Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 2.5 cups coconut sugar
• ⅓ cups agave syrup
• 1.5 stick cinnamon
• 2 gloves

Dough

• 2 +¼ cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ¾ cups semolina
• ½ cups orange juice
• ½ cup clementines juice
• ½ cup sunflower oil
• ½ cup olive oil
• 35 grams powdered sugar ( ¼ cup)
• ½ teaspoon cloves powder
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
• ½ teaspoon soda
• 1 orange zest

Instructions

Syrup

• Place the water, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and the 2 cloves to boiling.
• Once the syrup gets a boil, remove it from the fire and add the Agave syrup. Stir and let the syrup cool down completely.

Cookies

• Preheat the oven to 374 Fahrenheit.
• Put the juices, oil, sugar, spices powder, soda, orange zest (except flour and semolina) into a large bowl and mix them with a good wire. (Liquid mixture).
• In another bowl mix the flour with semolina (Solids mixture).
• Add the liquid mixture to the solids mixture and mix very gently with the hands for very little (8-10 seconds) to avoid damaging the mixture.
• Shape the dough into uniform cookies and give them a shape on top with a top.
• Bake them for about 20-25 minutes until they get a golden color. Once ready, add the hot cookies to the cold syrup and leave for 5-6 seconds. Drain them in a rack.
• Sprinkle with agave syrup and grated walnuts. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Do not overmix the dough.
• You can make the cookies any shape you desire. 
• Instead of clementines juice, you can just use only orange juice. 
• The quality of the ingredients a big role in the fluffiness of the cookies. Choose the best ones.
• Do not bake the cookies in high temperature.
• You can store up to 2 months in a cool temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Are you planning to make this Recipe?  I LOVE to see your creations. Please take a photo and tag @MANINIOPK on Instagram with the hashtag #MANINIOPK.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! XO XO XO