Chocolate Melomakarona Are you a fan of melomakarona? Do you also love chocolate? Well, here I have the most delightful recipe for delicious chocolate melomakarona.

Ingredients:

1 kg all-purpose flour

250g vegetable oil

250g olive oil

50g cognac

180g orange juice

200g sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 whole cloves

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

A pinch of nutmeg

Zest of 2 oranges

250g walnuts

For the syrup:

500g sugar

500g water

500g thyme honey

Zest of 1 lemon

1 cinnamon stick

3-4 cloves

For the topping:

250g dark chocolate

250g white chocolate

250g milk chocolate

Whole and crushed walnuts

The most famous dessert which is the symbol of New Year's Day and the first sweet we eat after the New Year. According to Christian tradition, the governor of Cappadocia asked the residents to collect taxes. The residents were afraid because they were poor, so they asked for protection from the then bishop Basil. He reassured them and told them to gather whatever valuable items they had and to give them instead of the taxes to the Governor, which they did. Bishop Basil spoke to the Governor and convinced him not to accept anything from the poor residents, and thus he did not take anything. However, it was impossible to return to each person the items they had offered, so pies were made where each person's contribution was hidden inside. Miraculously, the pies contained what each person had offered to the Governor! Since then, we celebrate the Vasilopita (St. Basil's pie) with a coin inside, which gave it its name, and it can be found in many variations depending on the local customs of each region. The most popular variations are as a cake or traditional sweet bread (tsoureki). A coin or a small branch of an olive tree or a fruit tree, depending on the region, is placed inside the dough, and whoever finds it is believed to have good luck for the year.

The recipe is provided for a 27cm pan and a 34cm pan.

Ingredients:

For a 27cm pan:

• 200g lukewarm water
• 25g fresh yeast or 2 sachets of dry yeast
• 68g fresh butter
• 180g sugar
• 75g eggs
• 3g mastic
• 3g cinnamon
• 2g Chios mastic gum
• 600g strong flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

For a 34cm pan:

• 400g water
• 50g fresh yeast
• 135g fresh butter
• 360g sugar
• 150g eggs
• 1100g strong flour (maybe a bit more)
• 5g mastic
• 5g cinnamon
• 4g Chios mastic gum
• 1/2 tsp salt

For decoration:

• 1 egg white for brushing
• Dark chocolate for decoration
• Sliced almonds

Fantastic melomakarona filled with aromas, to which we will add a little figto the syrup and this hint of fig molasses   will bring out all the spices. The house will smell amazing!!!!!

Our ingredients:

1,200g flour

250g olive oil

250g vegetable oil

270g orange juice

120g sugar

80g cognac

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp clove powder

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

Zest of one orange

250g chopped walnuts for sprinkling

100g Aegina pistachios for sprinkling

For the syrup:

500g sugar

600g water

380g thyme honey

70g CUMA fig molasses

1 lemon peel

1 cinnamon stick

6-7 cloves

Who doesn't have memories of the unique custom of Vasilopita (Greek New Year's cake)? Who doesn't reminisce about their childhood upon hearing the word Vasilopita, recalling gatherings with beloved people, laughter, joy, and festivities? And the time changes, counting down... 10, 9, 8... 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hugs, kisses, songs, and our beloved Vasilopita takes its place on the festive table. We cross it three times and start cutting... for Christ, for the house, for the poor (some cut it for the Virgin Mary, St. Basil, etc.), and then the sharing of the pieces begins, accompanied by joy and anticipation: Who will get the lucky coin this year? We all sit silently in our places, examining our piece, until suddenly we hear... "I FOUND IT!!!" and wishes start flowing from our family and loved ones. The small piece of the precious Vasilopita is usually wrapped in aluminum foil and kept for the morning, to be enjoyed with coffee as a way to start the new year with flavors and aromas that will bring us good luck.

Today, we will make an easy Vasilopita with walnuts, almonds, and Aegina pistachios. However, since some housewives have a baking dish with a diameter of 27cm, while others have a round baking dish with a diameter of 34cm, I will provide two measurements so you can make the Vasilopita that suits your needs.

For a 34cm baking dish:

• 1 self-rising flour (self-raising flour)
• 250g fresh butter
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 eggs
• 100g broken walnuts
• 20g broken Aegina pistachios
• 20g broken almonds
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Orange zest
• 1 packet baking powder

For a 27cm baking dish:

• 380g self-rising flour
• 190g fresh butter
• 150g orange juice
• 150g sugar
• 4 eggs
• 75g broken walnuts
• 20g broken Aegina pistachios
• 20g broken almonds
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• Orange zest
• 2 tsp baking powder

Easter cookies, fragrant, fluffy, and very tasty, that will grace our festive table and accompany our coffee. Personally, I like to make these cookies relatively small, with attention to detail, cute enough to place on a saucer next to our coffee or on a plate where they will look like decorations with their various shapes.

Our Ingredients:

100g butter (room temperature)

100g margarine (room temperature)

130g sugar 35g milk (room temperature)

1 egg (room temperature) + 2 egg yolks for brushing

450g all-purpose flour

8g baking powder

1 vanilla bean

Orange zest (optional)

Christmas hot wine We always make this wine and keep it near the fireplace to keep it warm. So during these festive days, we have our characteristic drink that... let's be honest... our memories are full of images, flavors, and aromas of these days. So it's easy, fragrant, and you can adjust it to your taste!

Ingredients:

800g red wine

Juice of 1 juicy organic unwaxed orange

Orange peel

2 sticks of Ceylon cinnamon

3 pieces of star anise

2 pieces of broken nutmeg

5-6 pieces of cloves

3 tablespoons of thyme honey

Ferrero Rocher-style Chocolate Balls:

Delicious Ferrero Rocher-style chocolate balls that will impress and delight you. They are very easy to make with just 3 ingredients!!! Yes, yes!!! Find me a reason now why you shouldn't have these amazing chocolates at home to enjoy!

Here are the ingredients you'll need:

200g hazelnut wafer cookies

260g hazelnuts

250g Nutella-style praline spread

The traditional Kimi kourabiedes with their distinctive finger-like shape, as they have been made by generations of housewives from Kythnos. The recipe is passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.

Ingredients:

½ kilogram powdered sugar

250 grams butter (fresh, from Epirus, Corfu, etc.)

200 grams granulated sugar

250 grams coarse chopped and toasted almonds

3 vanilla pods + 1 in the powdered sugar (capsules)

1 kilogram all-purpose flour

A little rosewater

Fasting Christmas cookies are a delicious and healthy option for those who follow the Orthodox faith, as they are made with ingredients that do not contain yeast, milk, or eggs. Their preparation is simple and will add a sweet note to your table, especially during Christmas or Easter holidays. Follow our instructions and enjoy these tasty cookies that are easy to prepare and will surely become favorites for your family.

Our Ingredients:

900g flour

100g olive oil

150g vegetable oil

300g orange juice

180g powdered sugar (inside the mixture) and we will need the rest of the bag for sprinkling 150g coarsely chopped almonds

40g cognac

1 tsp baking soda

2 vanilla beans + 1 in powder form (capsules) confectioner's

sugar for dusting

Christmas is coming, and we prepare the house, decorate it, and of course, the dessert plates will have their special place! And here we reach the point where every Greek household has its little battle every year: Kourabiedes or Melomakarona? For me, ever since I was little, it's always been Kourabiedes! So, let's make the most fluffy and delicious ones, with whole almonds inside, Kourabiedes!!!!!

Ingredients:

950 grams all-purpose flour

500 grams fresh butter

1 egg yolk

2 vanilla pods

250 grams powdered sugar

½ shot glass of cognac

200 grams blanched almonds

Rosewater for spraying at the end

Powdered sugar for dusting

A cake for all occasions, where we can customize the color to give it the style and character we want. Cyan for boys' birthdays, pink for girls, red for Valentine's Day, red-green for Christmas, with color variations depending on the theme, etc. Based on a cereal-type base, which becomes crispy and is very popular with children.

Ingredients:
Cereal-type Base:
• 125g cereal-type pops
• 40g hazelnut spread
• 10g vegetable oil
• 125g melted milk chocolate (you can use a healthier option)
Combine all ingredients with a spatula, making circular movements from bottom to top. Spread the mixture immediately on the bottom of the cake mold (base) and place it in the refrigerator to set.
White Chocolate Mousse:
• 250ml milk
• 10 gelatin sheets, soaked in water
• 440g finely chopped white chocolate
• 500g whipped cream
Bring the milk to a boil, remove it from the heat, add the soaked gelatin, and stir well until dissolved. Add the mixture to a bowl with the finely chopped chocolate and mix. When the temperature drops a bit (around 38 degrees Celsius), incorporate the whipped cream with gentle movements. Pour the mixture over the cereal base, smooth the surface, and refrigerate for several hours or overnight until it sets well.

Mirror Glaze:
1.
• 60ml water
• 10 gelatin sheets, soaked in water
2.
• 80ml water
• 80g glucose
• 80g sugar
3.
• 150g sweetened condensed milk
• 80g finely chopped white chocolate
• Food coloring of your choice

Aromatic cookies with grape molasses, crispy, and very, very delicious. Perfect for your coffee, breakfast, or even as a sweet indulgence! They go everywhere!

Ingredients:
• 150g sugar
• 250g grape molasses
• 250g olive oil
• 100g orange juice
• 1 shot of cognac
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Zest from one unwaxed orange
• 1 cup (-or less, as needed-) soft flour
• 400g sesame seeds

An easy and quick dessert, light and very tasty, to accompany your ice cream in the afternoon, your coffee, a treat, or the dessert of your Sunday meal. A wonderful recipe that was joyfully offered to me by Mrs. Kasomouli, and I thank her very much.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of low-fat cow yogurt (2% fat)
• ½ cup coarse semolina
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 wineglass of ouzo
• Zest from 3 oranges
• 1 cup granulated sugar (1 cup for the mixture, the rest will go into the syrup)
• 100g almonds

For the syrup:

• 2 glasses of water
• The remaining sugar
• 1 cup fresh orange juice

One of the products that my homeland produces abundantly is figs. We've learned with them, grown up with them, and, of course, from generation to generation, wonderful recipes have emerged that are worth recording and making. Fig jam, therefore, comes from ripe figs; it is quite dark in color and thick. We incorporate it into sweets, sauces, and even in cooking as a honey substitute. Here, I have made crispy cookies for all occasions, adding finely chopped dried figs inside. They contain no eggs or butter, so they are light and can be consumed during fasting periods.

Ingredients:
• 250g sugar
• 250g fig molasse
• 110g orange juice
• 250g extra virgin olive oil
• 10 dried figs, finely chopped
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp (almost - as much as it takes) soft flour

Fantastic truffles, little bites for treats, for parties, for birthdays, for school, for coffee time, for... cravings, these delicious truffles go everywhere! The ingredients are simple, the enjoyment is great. We can make them from leftover cake or traditional Greek New Year's cake (Vasilopita) or sweet bread (tsoureki) or follow the recipe from scratch! Here I am for both versions!
If we have leftover cake, Vasilopita, or tsoureki:
1. Crumble the cake into a bowl.
2. Add a little cognac (1-2 tsp), a little sweetened condensed milk, and mix.
3. The exact quantity depends on how much cake you have left. Add sparingly until it forms a tight mixture.
4. Place it in the refrigerator to cool.
5. Once cooled, take the mixture and shape it into small balls with your hands.
6. Dip them in melted chocolate and roll them in your preferred coating.
7. Place them on small papers if you want to share them or in a bowl to serve as treats.
For truffles from scratch:
Ingredients:
• 1 pack Petit Beurre cookies
• Sweetened condensed milk
• 50g melted butter
• 3 tbsp cognac
• 100g broken walnuts
• 2-3 tbsp chocolate powder or cocoa
• Chocolate coating
For the coating:
• Colorful truffles or chocolate truffles or broken nuts or Indian nut or Aegina pistachios, chocolate powder, or cocoa.

A delicious cheesecake with Oreo cookies inside and out. With just a few ingredients, it's an incredible sweet treat loved by both kids and adults alike. The ideal combination of cream cheese that neither weighs you down nor disappoints. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas dinners, or even for Valentine's Day—suitable for our Sunday afternoon, the table for our guests, the buffet we're hosting, for a myriad of reasons, it's the ultimate dessert that everyone enjoys!

Ingredients:
• 3 packs of Oreo cookies
• 1 kilogram cream cheese
• 220 grams sugar
• 3 eggs
• 80 grams butter
• 2 teaspoons liquid vanilla
• 1 package of whipped cream

An easy and quick dessert where you can play with flavors and prepare it in a very short time. It can be presented at birthdays, Sunday brunch, coffee time, celebrations, Christmas dinner, or even made in individual servings.

Ingredients:
• 250g digestive biscuits
• 90g room temperature butter
• 400g heavy cream
• 500g cream cheese, at room temperature
• Strawberry jam (or jam of your choice)
• 80g powdered sugar
• Lemon zest

It comes from Zakynthos and is a very simple and delicious dessert! It is usually offered on the day of St. Dionysius (December 17th) and can be found throughout Zakynthos in pastry shops, cafes, and more.

Ingredients:
• 1.5 liters of water
• 500g coarse semolina
• ½ tsp salt
• A little vegetable oil for frying
• Crystallized sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling

On the eve of St. Fanourios Day (August 27th), we make Fanouropita, a special cake. According to tradition, we make Fanouropita for the mother of St. Fanourios, who was a sinner. She tried to help her son but her bad character prevented it.
After his mother passed away, St. Fanourios asked the villagers to make a cake for his mother's soul to seek forgiveness for her sins. Therefore, housewives share the cake with the neighborhood, and they pray, "May God forgive the mother of St. Fanourios."
St. Fanourios is also known for revealing lost objects to the faithful and for revealing the future husband of young women.
The ingredients used to make the cake should be 7 or 9 (or more, depending on the spices you want to add to your cake), symbolizing the church's mysteries, the days of creation, and the orders of the angels.
When making the cake, it's customary to have a lit candle or lamp in the room.
Here is the precise recipe for guaranteed success:

Ingredients:
• 235g sunflower oil
• 520g strong wheat flour
• 240g sugar
• 50g cognac
• 100g blonde raisins
• 100g broken walnuts
• 200g water
• 150g fresh orange juice
• 10g baking powder
• 10g baking soda
• 3g ground cloves
• 6g ground cinnamon

Orange juice is one of the most refreshing and revitalizing beverages we can enjoy, especially on hot summer days. Nothing compares to the freshness and taste of a glass filled with homemade orange juice.

To keep the freshness and enjoyment of the orange juice, we store it in the refrigerator. This way, we can enjoy it cold and refreshing whenever we desire.

Feel free to add ice or a slice of lemon for an extra revitalizing touch. This homemade orange juice is ideal for refreshing your body and savoring the taste of summer!

Our Ingredients:

1 kilogram of orange juice

800 grams of sugar

1 cinnamon stick for flavoring

650 grams of water

Who can resist a refreshing glass of aromatic homemade lemonade, filled with plenty of ice cubes and garnished with mint leaves or a hint of vanilla? This simple homemade lemonade has become a favorite for both young and old, from children to grandparents. With the pleasant tanginess of lemons and its refreshing texture, lemonade is the perfect choice to cool down on hot summer days or to enjoy as a delightful beverage any time of the year. Let's take a look at this beloved and classic lemonade recipe.

Our ingredients:

1 kilogram of freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 kilogram of sugar

1 vanilla bean

550 grams of water

The recipe for pancakes with apple is a classic and beloved choice for the fall and winter seasons. With the addition of cloves and cinnamon, the fried apples have a delightful flavor and a crispy crust that makes them fluffy and crunchy. This recipe is easy and quick to make and can be served for breakfast as a perfect start to a wonderful day or warm with ice cream balls or vanilla cream as a perfect dessert for a relaxed afternoon or a sweet ending to a meal.

Our Ingredients

1 medium apple, peeled and grated (120g)

100g milk

120g self-raising flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

a little butter for garnish: walnuts, honey, mulled wine, etc.

Tiganites (like pancakes)

Get ready to discover a recipe that will transform your breakfast into a delight filled with fluffy pancakes! These pancakes are the ultimate proof that luxury can be so simple. With their enchanting texture and enticing appearance, they will win you over from the first bite.

The secret to the success of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a few ingredients that are mostly already available in your kitchen, you can create these divine pancakes that will captivate you.

One cup of milk, one cup of all-purpose flour, one egg, one teaspoon of sugar, and half a teaspoon of salt are all you need. Simply mix these ingredients together, and you have the base for an amazing batter.

But here's where your imagination comes into play... the rich blend of flavors and aromas that you can add. From sweet honey and maple syrup to sugar and chocolate, you can create your favorite combination. Walnuts, hazelnuts, crushed cookies, fresh bananas - your imagination is your only limiting factor.

These pancakes are perfect for breakfast, but they can also be a sweet snack for any moment of the day. They embody the enjoyment and simplicity that brings joy to our lives.

Start your morning with these exceptional pancakes and add a touch of sweetness to your daily routine. Whether it's for your breakfast, for home indulgence, the office, school, or even paired with a movie, this recipe will win you over with its simplicity and the fluffy texture of the pancakes that will mesmerize you. Surrender to their aroma and savor every unique bite!

Our ingredients:

1 cup of milk

1 cup of all-purpose flour

1 egg

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp salt

Vegetable oil for frying.

Favorite flower cheese pies in many variations and for every occasion. A sweet loved by everyone and of course in all the homes of Crete in a special place.

A simple sweet, easy, quick plain or syrupy, with honey or with sugar and cinnamon, or with dust, no matter how you eat it, it remains unforgettable.

Our materials

1 pack of crusty leaves

1-2 egg whites

600 g of anthotyro

2-3 tbsp honey

1 tbsp cinnamon

For the syrup

3 cups of sugar

2 cups of water

1 cinnamon stick

Juice half a lemon with the lemon cup

1 tbsp of glucose

4-5 cloves