Traditional Melomakarona and Kourabiedes Recipes

Melomakarona and Kourabiedes are by far the most popular Greek sweets during the Festive Season and no Greek Christmas dessert table is complete without either.

Here are our traditional family recipes for both Melomakarona and Kourabiedes for you and your loved ones to enjoy. 

Happy Baking! 

Kourabiedes Recipe 

Ingredients 

Insights Greece - Traditional Melomakarona and Kourabiedes Recipes
Greece’s favourite Christmas sweets

– 500 x grams unsalted butter
– 1 x kilo self-raising flour
– 200 x grams caster sugar
– 2 x egg yolks and 1 egg white
– 1 x cup olive oil
– 3/4 x cup of Ouzo
– 200 x grams chopped almonds
– 1 x teaspoon baking powder
– 3 x cups confectionary sugar for dusting

Method 

-Spread chopped almonds on baking paper and place on a baking tray. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes in a 150 degrees celsius oven or till lightly browned.
– Add butter to a small saucepan and melt over low heat.
– In a large bowl add melted butter with caster sugar and use mixmaster to mix until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1/2 cup of ouzo, olive oil, egg white, yolks and toasted almonds and mix all together for about 5 minutes on high speed.
– In another bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture and blend until smooth.
– Roll about 2 tablespoons of dough into small balls and then start forming them into a crescent shape.
– Line baking trays with baking paper and place the biscuits on paper. Bake in a 180 degrees celsius oven for about 20 minutes.
– Allow biscuits to cool for about 5 minutes and then lightly drizzle some Ouzo on top of them.
– Place wax paper on your working bench and then sift 1 and 1/2 cups of confectionary sugar over the paper. Transfer the biscuits onto paper and then sift the remaining confectionary sugar on top.
– Allow to stand until completely cool and then store in an airtight container.

Melomakarona Recipe

Ingredients 

-2 x cups olive oil

-1 x cup sugar

-1 x cup fresh orange juice

-zest of 1 orange

-1 x tablespoon vanilla sugar

-4 x tablespoons Cognac

-1 x teaspoon baking powder

-1 x teaspoon baking soda

-2 x tablespoons ground cinnamon

-1 x tablespoon ground cloves

-1 x kilos self-raising flour

-150 grams fine semolina

-chopped walnuts for garnishing

For the syrup 

-3 x cups sugar

-1 x cup honey

-2.5 x cups water

-1  x cinnamon stick

Method

– In a large bowl add sugar and oil and whisk for about 7 minutes.
– In a small bowl add orange juice, Cognac, baking soda, baking powder and mix well.
– Pour the juice into sugar mixture and also add orange zest, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla sugar and semolina and whisk till well combined
– Slowly add in flour and mix together.
– Knead the dough with your hands until the dough is soft and smooth.
– Begin making melomakarona into oblong shapes and place each piece on baking paper-lined trays.
– Place in 180 degrees celsius (preheated) oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until melomakarona are golden brown.
– In the meantime to make the syrup add all ingredients into a saucepan and boil for 6 minutes.
– When melomakarona come out of the oven, place them in cooled syrup flipping them with a slotted spoon to absorb the syrup.
– Place cookies on a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

*Recipes & Images by IN+SIGHTS GREECE © (Copyright) 

Top Five Sweet Greek Delicacies to Try During Christmas

Things may be a little different again this year however, we can still enjoy the fantastic delicacies Greece has to offer during the festive season.

To create some cheer, we can cook and bake with our families in our cozy kitchens. After all, that’s the true meaning of Christmas, isn’t it? To celebrate with our family and loved ones and spend quality time together.

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 times 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 by 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

Greek Christmas Traditions

Throughout the festive season there are many beautiful Christmas traditions that are celebrated in all across Greece.

The most popular ones are the decoration of the Christmas boat, the Kalenda (Greek Christmas carols), Vasilopita, and smashing the pomegranate. And of course all the Greek Christmas treats, which every household prepares during the holiday period.

Greek Santa

While today Greeks have embraced much of the modern traditions, in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Saint most associated with the giving of gifts around Christmas is not Saint Nicholas, but Saint Basil the Great. His feast day is celebrated on January 1st and on this day children in Greece receive presents.

Decorating a Christmas Boat

Greece is surrounding by the Mediterranean Sea and traditionally the main symbol of Christmas is the “Karavaki”. This Greek Christmas tradition is mostly found on islands and seaside regions, however you will also see it displayed in the main centre of Athens at Syntagma Square and in Thessaloniki. The boat is a symbol for the Christmas and New Year period not only because Greece is surrounded by the sea but because it represents travelling into a new direction blessed by the birth of Christ. 

Kalanda

Greek Christmas carols are the songs that are sung on the morning of Christmas Eve (24th December), the morning of New year’s Eve (31st December) and the morning of the Eve of Epiphany (5th of January). The tradition is that these days children in groups go from house to house ringing doorbells and asking ‘Na Ta Poume?’ (Shall We Sing?) They sing the carols accompanied by a metal triangle and sometimes drums and they are given a small amount of money by the residents of each house. The lyrics of Greek Christmas carols wish people prosperity and luck. 

  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Agios Vasilis
  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Children Singing Carols
  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Karavi in Syntagma Square

Vasilopita 

This is a traditional Greek cake served at midnight on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the life of Saint Basil. A coin is inserted in the cake and when cut the person who finds the coin is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year. According to Greek Christmas traditions every year after midnight on New Year’s Eve the householder cuts the cake in pieces. The first piece cut is for Christ, the second for Virgin Mary and the third for the house. Then the rest of the cake is cut in pieces for the members of the family by order of age.

Smashing a Pomegranate

Pomegranate has been a symbol of fortune, fertility and prosperity in Greece and Greek mythology for thousands of years. During Christmas holidays you will see pomegranates displayed as Christmas decorations and hanging on the doors of homes. According to Greek Christmas traditions, on New Year’s Eve just after midnight the householder stands outside the door and breaks a pomegranate by throwing it on the doorstep. The seeds of the fruit spread on the floor mean happiness and health to the family.

Feasting

Pork is the main dish for a Greek Christmas feast, because traditionally in the weeks leading up to the holiday the slaughter of pigs took place. Turkey with stuffing is a western culinary Christmas tradition that has been implemented by Greeks in only the last 40-50 years at most. Traditional Christmas dishes include Lahanodolmades (cabbage dolmades) made with rice, mince, and avgolemono (egg lemon sauce). Other kinds of meat, all kinds of handmade pites (pies) are also traditional meals for Christmas day. 

Spiced wine or raki with honey is served over the holidays, and every Greek house has two Christmas cookies- Kourabiedes, which are almond biscuits covered in icing sugar; and Melomakarona, a walnut biscuit topped with honey. 

  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Greek Feast @protothema
  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Smashing of Pomegranete @food52
  • Insights Greece - Greek Christmas Traditions
    Vasilopita @akispetretzikis

Cover image @greekboston

Kourabiedes Recipe

Kourabiedes are a traditional Greek Christmas biscuit packed with roasted almonds, fresh butter and garnished with layers of icing sugar. 

There are many variations and our delicious family recipe features lightly toasted almonds and a splash of Ouzo! The measurements below make around 60 biscuits and can be placed in airtight containers to retain their freshness for a few weeks.

Happy Baking!

Ingredients 

– 500 x grams unsalted butter
– 1 x kilo self-raising flour
– 200 x grams caster sugar
– 2 x egg yolks and 1 egg white
– 1 x cup olive oil
– 3/4 x cup of Ouzo
– 200 x grams chopped almonds
– 1 x teaspoon baking powder
– 3 x cups confectionary sugar for dusting

Method

– Spread chopped almonds on baking paper and place on a baking tray. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes in a 150 degrees celsius oven or till lightly browned.
– Add butter to a small saucepan and melt over low heat.
– In a large bowl add melted butter with caster sugar and use mixmaster to mix until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1/2 cup of ouzo, olive oil, egg white, yolks and toasted almonds and mix all together for about 5 minutes on high speed.
– In another bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture and blend until smooth.
– Roll about 2 tablespoons of dough into small balls and then start forming them into a crescent shape.
– Line baking trays with baking paper and place the biscuits on paper. Bake in a 180 degrees celsius oven for about 20 minutes.
– Allow biscuits to cool for about 5 minutes and then lightly drizzle some Ouzo on top of them.
– Place wax paper on your working bench and then sift 1 and 1/2 cups of confectionary sugar over the paper. Transfer the biscuits onto paper and then sift the remaining confectionary sugar on top.
– Allow to stand until completely cool and then store in an airtight container.

*Recipe & Images by IN+SIGHTS GREECE © (Copyright)