Day 100! Macedonia - Macedonian Honey Cookies - Up Next, Madagascar

Day 100! Only 93 countries left to go! Who woulda thought it? To celebrate this personal blogging milestone, I decided that Macedonian honey cookies were just the thing. It snowed another foot last night, so after shoveling snow on top of snow, these simple, beautiful cookies, accompanied by a steaming cup of raspberry tea were not only perfect, but well earned (like I really need an excuse to indulge, right?).

Eaten as is, these cookies are delicious, especially if you don't like overly sweet cookies, which I don't.  The combination of ground walnuts, honey and cinnamon make for a crunchy, rich, heavenly flavor that puts any gooey, cookie to shame. However, if you're feeling like you want to do something elegant and special, dip them in a little bittersweet chocolate for a doubly decadent, sophisticated confection.



Located in the Central Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia part of Greece and shares its borders with Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. Macedonia is a successor state of Yugoslavia, from whom it gained independence in 1991.

Cuisine in Macedonia is heavily influenced by Mediterranean customs, especially Greek and Turkish cooking. Middle Eastern, and to a lesser degree Italian and Hungarian traditions are also prevalent. Because the climate is relatively warm, a huge variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown in Macedonia. Dairy, wine, cheese and coffee are also abundant in this beautiful, fertile land.

Macedonian Honey Cookies (Adapted from an original recipe on Macedonain food)

1 egg
1/2 cup ground walnuts
3 1/8 cup flour
1/2 cup oil
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Confectioners sugar for dusting and/or 4 ounces 60% cacoa bittersweet chocolate (melted)

Preheat oven to 375 F.
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle beater, beat the egg and sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is light yellow and double the size (about 5 minutes).
Add the oil and honey and mix until combined. Add the walnuts, vanilla, cinnamon and continue mixing until combined.
Mix the baking powder with the flour and add it to the egg mixture and mix. If the batter seems a little dry, add just a teaspoon or two of water. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it a few times until the dough is soft.
Working on a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4" thickness.
With a cookie cutter or cup, cut shapes and place on greased (or use parchment paper) cookie sheet, leaving space between the cookies as they expand while baking.
Bake them about 15 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
Cool the cookies. You may eat them as are, sprinkle with confectioners sugar or dip in chocolate.

Final Assessment: Deluxe, Divine, Delectable.