We absolutely love these cookies! The version that we’re making here is something we adapted from cookies that we had from a Cretan bakery the last time we were in Greece. Here we describe the traditional method to make these cookies. Warming the olive oil gives the cookies a delicious, deeper complexity. They couldn’t be easier and are delicious with coffee and tea. Not too sweet and great for lent. Be careful though… it’s hard to eat just one! Καλή Ορεξη!
Not too sweet and great for lent!
Serves: 36 | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (we used our favorite Cretan olive oil Terra Creta)
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 cups all purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground clove
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sugar
- zest from 1 lemon
- zest from 1 orange
- 1 cup orange juice (about 3-4 oranges)
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- juice from ½ lemon
- 3 tablespoons honey
Steps:
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Heat the olive oil and sesame seeds in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
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Remove from heat and let cool a bit.
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While oil is cooling, in a large bowl, mix the flours, cinnamon, clove and salt.
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Add the sugar, lemon zest, orange zest and orange juice to the olive oil.
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In a small bowl, mix the baking soda with the lemon juice until frothy.
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Add the frothy baking soda to the olive oil mixture. Then add the honey and mix well.
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Gradually stir the flour mixture into the olive oil mixture and mix until flour is incorporated and the dough is smooth. If mixture is too wet, add a little more flour until dough is smooth.
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Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
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Preheat the oven to 350°.
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Using your hands, roll and shape about 1.5 ounces of dough into an oval shape. Continue until you form all the dough.
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Place the cookies on parchment lined cookie/baking sheets leaving a little bit of space in between each cookie.
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Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown, turning pans half way through the cooking process.
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Cool on a cooling rack.