They are made by a two-step process. First you bake the cookies and then you dunk them in a honey bath.

Beat first five ingredients (olive oil, butter, sugar, orange juice and brandy).

In a separate bowl, combine baking powder and soda to flour and start adding to the butter mixture one cup at a time. Make sure that the flour is completely combined before adding the next cup. The dough must be soft and not sticky. (My mom used to say it has to feel as soft as the ear of a baby).

Form oval shapes and put on an ungreased pan. Flatten the melomakarona in the center by pressing with a fork.

Bake at 300 degree for 30 min. Remove from pan when golden brown. Let cool.

Combine honey, sugar and water in a medium size pot and bring to a boil.

Place one layer of cookies in the pot and let them soak for at least 5 min so they can absorb the honey. The more you let them soak the softer and sweeter they will become. But watch out not to soak them too long or else they will dissolve.

Remove from the pot, place them on a platter and sprinkle with cinnamon and the finely chopped nuts.

Continue this way until you have soaked all the cookies in the honey bath.