Honey-dipped cookies are popular in the Balkans and areas of Eastern Europe that have been influenced by the Greeks and Turks. These sweets are dipped in honey syrup once cooled and garnished with ground walnuts. They look pretty on a sweets table when set in fluted paper cups.
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Makes about 8 dozen Honey-Dipped Cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- Dough:
- 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup canola oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts plus additional 1 cup ground walnuts for garnish
- .
- Syrup:
- 2 cups honey
- 1/2 cup water
Preparation:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add oil and beat again. Beat in yolks and vanilla until well mixed. Mix 1/4 cup orange juice with baking powder and baking soda. Add to batter, mixing well. Beat in flour and remaining orange juice and stir in the walnuts. Wrap with plastic and refrigerate until well chilled.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place parchment paper on baking sheets or coat lightly with cooking spray. Shape dough into small oval cookies and place on prepared pans. Bake about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cookies cool completely.
- To make the syrup, combine honey and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Dip cold cookies in hot syrup. Sprinkle cookies with ground walnuts and place in decorative paper cups.
