Greek Honey Biscuits "Melomakarona"

Prepare the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, semolina (if using), baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and orange zest. In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, water, and honey until well combined. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until a soft, pliable dough forms. Avoid over-mixing. Take small portions of dough and shape them into oval cookies about 2 inches long. Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Prepare the Honey Syrup:
In a saucepan, combine water, honey, cinnamon stick, and orange peel. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and orange peel.

Soak the Cookies:
Once the cookies are slightly cooled, dip them into the warm syrup for 10–15 seconds, ensuring they absorb enough syrup. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a serving platter.

Add the Topping:
Sprinkle the cookies with chopped walnuts and a dusting of ground cinnamon, if desired.

Serve:
Let the cookies rest for a few hours or overnight to absorb the flavors fully.