Imagine biting into a golden, honey-drenched cookie that whispers tales of Greek tradition and culinary magic. Finikia are not just cookies; they're a delectable journey through centuries of Mediterranean dessert craftsmanship. These irresistible treats combine the warmth of cinnamon, the richness of butter, and the luxurious sweetness of honey, creating a symphony of flavors that will make your kitchen smell like a traditional Greek bakery.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 20 cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients and ensure they are at room temperature. Gather a large mixing bowl, electric mixer, baking sheet, and parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and ground cinnamon until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add flour to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft, smooth dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the ingredients to meld and the dough to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and shape into small oval or crescent-shaped cookies, about 2 inches long.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- While cookies are baking, warm honey in a small saucepan over low heat until it becomes slightly runny.
- Remove cookies from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
- Carefully dip each cooled cookie into the warm honey, ensuring complete coverage. Place on a wire rack to allow excess honey to drip off.
- Sprinkle additional ground cinnamon over the honey-dipped cookies if desired.
- Allow cookies to cool completely and let the honey set before serving. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the smoothest dough consistency.
- Chill the Dough: Don't skip the 30-minute refrigeration - this helps develop flavor and makes the dough easier to handle.
- Honey Technique: Warm the honey gently to create a smooth, even coating. Too hot, and it will be too runny; too cool, and it won't cover the cookies properly.
- Uniform Sizing: Try to make your cookies similar in size to ensure even baking.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the cookies cool completely before honey dipping to prevent crumbling.
- Cinnamon Finale: A light sprinkle of extra cinnamon adds a beautiful finish and enhances the traditional flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 35mg
