FINIKIA (Greek orange and honey syrup cookies)

1 3/4 cups plain flour
pinch allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 cup caster sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup canola oil
50 grams butter, melted
finely grated rind of 1 orange
1/4 cup orange juice

SYRUP
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
juice of half a lemon
1 cinnamon quill

chopped walnuts, optional
cinnamon

preheat oven to 180 C.  line a baking tray with baking paper.

in a medium sized bowl, place the flour, sugar, salt, spices and baking powder.

make a well in the centre and add the oil, butter, rind and orange juice. mix together.

tip dough onto a lightly floured board and knead lightly until dough comes together.

roll dough into 12 equal sized balls then shape into ovals, flattening lightly.

place on tray and bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to touch.

when the biscuits are about 12 minutes off cooked, place the syrup ingredients in a smallish saucepan.
stir over low heat to dissolve the sugar.

increase heat and simmer for 10 minutes. remove from heat.

place 2 biscuits at a time into the syrup and allow to soak for 30 seconds.

remove with an egg slide and place on wire racks to drain. sprinkle with cinnamon
and walnuts, if desired.

cool completely.