Melomakarona (Honey Cakes)

By chelyc13

Ingredients

• FOR CAKES:
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons brandy
• Juice of 1/2 orange
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• FOR SYRUP:
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 strip orange zest
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 15 whole cloves
• 3 tablespoons crushed walnuts, for serving

Details

Servings 15

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Stir the sugar and oil in a wide bowl until dissolved. Add the brandy, orange juice and zest. mix the baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg into the flour. Add to the bowl and mix to a loose dough with a wooden spoon. using your hands, knead to a soft and smooth dough.

3. Break off small clumps of dough of about 1 1/2 ounces each (you should get 15). Roll each into a ball between your palms, then form small ovals of about 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches. Set them onto the baking sheet and bake until firm and the bases are gold, about 30 minutes.

4. While they are baking, make the syrup. Put all the ingredients along with 3/4 cup of water in a small pot and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 5 minutes, then keep warm.

5. Put the cakes in a dish with sides where they will fit in one layer. Stud each with a clove. Pour the syrup over them, covering each well. Leave for 5 minutes. Spoon some syrup (it will be a little thicker now) from the bottom of the dish over the tops of the cakes and sprinkle with the walnuts. Remove to a serving plate. Drizzle the walnuts with remaining syrup. Cover and cool completely. Will keep for many days, stored in a covered container.