Join me in my kitchen for a slow afternoon of baking Melomakarona—the traditional Greek Christmas cookies that signals the start of the holiday season.
In this video, I am sharing a plant-based version of this vintage recipe, using agave syrup instead of honey. These are not your typical cookies; they are spiced with cinnamon and orange, baked until golden, and then soaked in hot syrup for a melting, decadent texture.
It is a process that fills the entire house with the sweetest festive aroma. I hope this video brings a little bit of cozy inspiration to your day.
As always, you will find this recipe card in my Patreon.
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Chapters:
00:00 The scent of Christmas
00:32 Making the spiced dough (Agave version)
05:28 Shaping & Baking
08:01 The “Swimming” (Syrup dipping)
10:54 Covering with chocolate
12:14 A cozy tasting in the nook
You can find the recipe here:
It’s in Greek but Google can translate the page.
#SlowLiving #GreekRecipes #Melomakarona #VintageLife #christmasbaking
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I wish I could send you all a sample through the screen! Have you ever tasted Melomakarona before, or is this your first time seeing them? 💖
Just like my mother used to make. Merry Christmas and Xronia Pola!
💌!
Mπράβο κορίτσι μου ,,Και του χρόνου να έισαι καλά ,να μας ξαναφτάξεις,,!! καλές γιορτές,,,
Beautifully presented biscuits. Shortbread and mince pies are often made for Christmas in Australia. I love your apron. May you have a blessed and happy Christmas Arietta. ❤️❤️🌺
My favorite Christmas cookies were always my grandmother's Italian wedding cookies and gingerbread men, but yours look delicious too! I was struck by how flattering that dress is on you; I have always loved that type of collar and I wish more clothing was made that way, nowadays. I always find it comforting when you cook, and seeing the beautiful cozy cats. Thank you for another lovely vlog, and Happy Christmas !😊
Looks delicious.
Pavlova is the most common Christmas desert in New Zealand but my family always had trifle and fruit salad as well. We always went to both grandmothers on Christmas day with a traditional roast meal for lunch with one and an evening barbecue at the other grandmothers. i remember doing a lot of dishes. They were lovely times.
What a beautifully made video. I've never heard of that holiday treat but they looked delicious. Your cats are gorgeous too. I live in the US and it's very common to make fudge and decorated cookies although I prefer to make my family favorites, rum balls and thumbprint cookies ! Wishing you a blessed holiday season 🎄
Yummy
Arietta save me some of those cookies I will be there soon as I can😂. I can smell them already. I love making snickerdoodle and sugar cookies during Christmas oh and can't forget the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake 😋. I am hungry now. Arietta if I don't get to see you before Christmas I wish you joy and happiness and love. Take care of yourself. Thank you for sharing your world
This is my first time, they look so delicious!! Can I substitute with maple syrup? I also love that dress and apron. Melita and twins are adorable! xoxo Z.
Here in New Zealand, it is summer. In our family, shortbread is a Christmas tradition. For dessert, we have ambrosia made from whipped cream, yogurt, berries, marshmallows, and chunks of chocolate.
Enjoy your Christmas and I hope 2026 is a wonderful year for you. I look forward to seeing what you share with us next year!
Greetings Arietta! Oh, how delightful! They look absolutely delicious. I love cinnamon, it's right up there with chocolate! Love and blessings ♥️🙏
May I ask a question. Why isn’t honey considered vegan?
I never knew about these cookies and they look so delicious (anything with golden syrup is a winner for me!) You and the cats all looked wonderfully pretty and it’s such a joy to watch you cooking in your lovely kitchen. I agree with the lady who wondered about the cookies disappearing once they were at your brother’s home. Especially covered in chocolate my brother would have hoovered them up! Thank you for the treat of a mid-week video ❤❤❤
You snuck a video in this week! Love to watch and that Melomakarona sounds delicious!!! x
My family is Italian, American and although this isn’t a sweet treat, we always know it’s Christmas because my aunts prepare bagna càuda, and rigatonis with many, many bottles of red wine on the tables. 🎄♥️🍷
You look so elegant in the black dress.
Saludos desde España❤️🎄🐾🐾☃️🙋
Oh! WhAt a lovely unexpected surprise to see you today !
You are looking lovely as usual, Arietta.
No ..I have never tasted those treats but they look divine , having the spice and citrus notes I crave in desserts! So christmassy .
I agree. I wish you could pass them through the screen !
I also love your food prep bowls and dishes. Your home is lovely and cozy and the twin cats are so precious- they all know how well they’re loved . I agree with you when you said you “ could” eat several but should not !
That’s me . I have no control . I’d have eaten several !
My Italian grandma always made an Italian deep fried dough ( I forget the name!!) then dusted with powdered sugar . Also she made tiny honey balls , also fried and coated with sprinkles . I’d give anything for those days again.
Thank you for sharing your tradition ,
I pray you have peace and love and hope in the new year.
Merry Christmas, Arietta .
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
🤎xx
The cookies look absolutely delicious! And you look stunning! May these be tasty, magical, beautiful holidays. Hugs!
What delicious looking cookies! I had to laugh as you were bringing them back from your bother's, I was amazed that you'd made it out of his house with them. My 6'4" brother would've been eating on them without the rest of the preparation! But then when you finally said your brother had stolen a batch, I sighed thinking "ah, all is right with the world – brothers are the same everywhere"!
I guess our Christmas desserts look pretty much like our Thanksgiving desserts here in the U.S. A lot of people bake apple and pumpkin pies again, some include pecan pie. Decorated sugar cookies are so festive and although everyone says they hate it, fruitcake pops up anyway! But through the years, we've also welcomed desserts from around the world: Italian wedding cookies (they look like little snow balls), French buche de noel (so pretty), German stollen, British mince pie, Mexican bunuelos (mmmm fried dough…). I have to admit it, most Americans would never turn down any kind of dessert. I'm waiting for some U.S. company to shamelessly produce a donut sprinkled with Ozempic.
Wonderful recipes. Looks absolutely yummy!💯❤❤❤
🤗🤩😊 Oh, Arietta, I don’t know which is SWEETER – your incredible Melomakarona or Melita 🎄🐈 under the tree !!! Today was our “Sklavanidis day”, and we picked up Melomakarona for family and ourselves as well. To see you prepare them, however, is pure joy. The thrill of seasonal Oranges from Laiki and the mild sugary pleasure of Dates are our choices for the Holiday. Sending lots of Christmas Cheer your way 🎄✨😘😘 -V
I have never heard of this but certainly looks delicious! Every Christmas I make Martha Washington Chocolates, Polish Easter Bread , Sour Cream Coffee Cake and Festive Cheese Ball.🎄