DIRECTIONS

Mix the dough:  Mix all “Dry Ingredients.” Add all butter and milk  (“Wet ingredients 1”) to combined dry ingredients and mix until absorbed.  Gradually add the remaining liquid ingredients while mixing. When ingredients are mixed in, mix with lightly floured hands to ensure completely mixed and smooth.  Dough should be moist, but not sticky. Should not stick to mixing bowl or hands. Add flour a small fistful at a time until correct consistency. Let dough rest 15 minutes covered by tea towel.

Forming the cookie:  take a small quantity of dough (slightly smaller than a golfball). Roll in palm of hands to eliminate creases.  Flatten in palm with opposite fingers. Place about 3/4 teaspoon of stuffing in center. Fold other sides over/around to completely enclose stuffing. Make sure seam is very well closed and smoothed (if not well sealed, the cookie will crack open in baking or syruping).  Place cookie seam-side down on lightly buttered cookie sheet. It is important to work quickly so dough stays cool (hands warm the dough).

Baking:  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35 to 40 minutes on lightly buttered cookie sheets.  Should be baked until lightly golden brown. After baking, place on cooling rack. Cookies must be completely cooled (even overnight) before syruping process.

Syrup Process.  After cookies are completely cooled, begin making syrup.  Mix all ingredients in pot and boil for 15 minutes. Skim sugar impurities if necessary.  Carefully place 6 or 7 cookies in pot of boiling syrup round side up. Boil for 90 seconds.  Turn cookies over and boil for another 90 seconds. Remove from syrup and place on cookie sheet or smooth-surfaced tray for cooling. After turned out on the cooling tray, sprinkle with remainder of the stuffing mixture. Repeat with remaining cookies. If syrup becomes too thick, add some water to thin. Let cool for a couple of hours.

When cooled, place individual melomacarona in baking cups. Store in airtight container.

Left over syrup can be stored for up to two weeks (without orange peel or spices).  This syrup can be used if cookies become dry. Reboil the cookies in the syrup to remoisten them.