Melomakarona (Greek Christmas Cookies)

Ingredients
1 ½ cups olive oil
½ cup butter or margarine
1 cup orange juice
¼ cup brandy
1 cup sugar
1 egg
8-9 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
Orange rind (optional)

For the Syrup
2 cups sugar
2 cups honey
2 cups water

For the Garnish
2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
2 tsp. cinnamon

Execution
Combine the flour, the baking powder and soda in a bowl. Put it aside.

Using a mixer, combine the butter with the sugar, add the egg. Slowly add the oil, orange juice and brandy and continue to mix. Slowly add ½ of the flour mixture. Pour the mixture into a ball and start working by hand, adding more of the flour. Mix until a soft dough consistency is achieved.

Make oval shape cookies approximately 2 ½" x 1 ½". Place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Meanwhile, combine the water and sugar for the syrup and let boil. Reduce the heat, add the honey and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and dip them into the syrup for 3 minutes. Sprinkle walnuts and cinnamon on top of each cookie.