Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas

In Greece, Christmas is one of the most important holidays; it’s the season that brings families together. Sharing stories from the past, eating, drinking and, of course, enjoying local delicacies.

There are many traditional recipes for Christmas dishes in Greece and even more different versions for each one of them, depending on the region. What they all have in common though, is the love the masterminds behind them put into them while cooking. And by masterminds, I am referring to the amazing Greek people who pour their heart and soul into their recipes.

I narrowed down the list by including only desserts – I am a sweet tooth; it’s more than obvious, I guess. So get inspired and enjoy!

  • Insights Greece - Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas
    Melomakarona
  • Insights Greece - Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas
    Kourabiedes

Melomakarona

One of my favorite desserts of all time and a reason to expect Christmas. These delicious cookies are a combination of cinnamon, orange and honey, dipped in syrup once baked and topped up with sprinkled nuts. Some people stuff them with nuts or add chocolate as well. However, the traditional recipe is by far the best.

Kourabiedes

Another dessert saying that Christmas is around the corner! Kourabiedes are shortbread cookies, usually made with nuts and dusted with icing sugar. A truly mouthwatering experience!

Both melomakarona and kourabiedes are never absent from any house in Greece during the festive season. Just a friendly reminder: remove them from easily accessible areas; you will not resist eating them all in one go!

  • Insights Greece - Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas
    Christopsomo @lemon&olives
  • Insights Greece - Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas
    Diples by IN+SIGHTS GREECE

Diples

Diples means “folded,” and it’s a dough folded, covered with honey, cinnamon, and walnuts.

Christopsomo

A very popular Greek tradition, “christopsomo” means “Christ’s bread”. It’s a loaf of bread, made with pure and fine ingredients and offered with nuts or honey.

Vasilopita

The New Year’s Day cake contains a coin, which brings good luck to the one who finds it in their slice. There are many vasilopita recipes, and it’s usually sweet to symbolize the happiness of the new life.

Enjoy!

Insights Greece - Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas
Vasilopita @akispetretzikis

Cover image Akis Petretzikis

Traditional Diples Recipe

Diples are a traditional Greek sweet, served mostly at celebrations including Christmas, engagements, weddings and baptisms. 

They are thin sheets of handmade dough- folded and fried into a crispy pastry that’s then  dipped in honey and dusted with walnuts and cinnamon!

Ingredients

– 2.5 x cups of all purpose flour

– 3 x eggs

– 4 x tablespoons of Brandy

– 1 x tablespoon baking powder

– 2 x tablespoons sugar

– Vegetable oil for frying

For syrup 

– 1 x cup of honey

– 1/4 x cup of sugar

– 1 x cup of water

To garnish 

– Finely chopped walnuts

– Ground cinnamon

Method 

– Mix the flour with baking powder in a bowl and place a hole in the middle of the mixture.

– Whisk the eggs with sugar and brandy in a separate bowl for a few minutes and then add it into the centre of the flour.

– Knead your dough until it becomes smooth but slightly firm.

– Cover with plastic cling wrap and allow to sit for half an hour.

– Mix the dough slightly again with your hands.

– Divide the dough into small balls (about the size of an apple) and begin rolling them out on a floured surface until it becomes a thin pastry.

– Start cutting the pastry into rectangle pieces (approximately 12cm x 6cm)

– Add oil into a deep fry pan and allow to heat.

– Carefully place your dough sheet (one at a time) completely into the oil and using a set of tongs and a fork (or you can use 2 forks) quickly fold it three times to form a rolled shape (as pictured).

– Repeat this process until all your sheets of dough have been fried.

– To make the syrup, add honey, sugar, and water into a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.

– Dip your Diples in the hot syrup and toss them a few times to coat them entirely with the syrup.

– Repeat until all the Diples have been dipped in the syrup.

– Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts and ground cinnamon.

– Diples may be served immediately or you can store them in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to a week.

*Recipe & Images by IN+SIGHTS GREECE