I was visiting during the Christmas season when the old city wore its holiday best, and in the windows I saw the didukh, a sheaf of wheat stalks that Ukrainian families set out to honor the harvest and wish for prosperity.
Walking on, I came upon a group of women in a warm kitchen making honey cookies, which in Ukraine are called medianyky. I watched through the window as they mixed and kneaded, cut their shapes, and slid them into the oven, the smell of honey and spice drifting out into the cold. One of them must have spotted me, because soon she appeared with a plate of them, still warm. I could not resist. They were soft and tender, almost cake-like, honey-sweet and gently spiced, exactly as they should be. You will notice I do not call them chewy, because a true medianyk never is.
Ukraine’s honey baking runs deep. Bees were kept in these forests as far back as the days of Kyivan Rus, and honey was the sweetener long before sugar ever arrived, so honey cakes and cookies like the Lviv region’s medivnyk are woven right through the country’s Christmas. I will be honest that Ukraine shares this honey-and-spice tradition with its neighbors, the Russian pryaniki, the Polish pierniki, the German Lebkuchen, all one big family. But baked in a Ukrainian kitchen, with these hands and these spices, medianyky are unmistakably their own.
Reasons to make Honey Cookies
Delicious Flavor: Ukrainian Honey Cookies are known for their unique flavor that combines the sweetness of honey with a subtle spiciness from cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Easy to Make: These cookies are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients that are easily accessible. Even novice bakers can create this recipe without any hassle.
Perfect for Holidays: Ukrainian Honey Cookies are a popular treat during the holiday season in Ukraine, and for a good reason. They are the perfect addition to any holiday spread and will impress your guests with their delicious taste.
Health Benefits: Honey is the main ingredient in Ukrainian Honey Cookies, and it offers many health benefits.
Great for Gifting: These cookies are perfect for gifting to friends and family during the holiday season. They can be packaged in a festive tin or jar, making for a thoughtful and tasty gift everyone will love.
Cultural Connection: Baking and enjoying traditional Ukrainian treats like Honey Cookies can help connect you to the culture and traditions of Ukraine. It’s a great way to learn about a new culture and enjoy delicious treats simultaneously.
Ukrainian Honey Cookies (Medianyky)
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp clove
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 extra large eggs
- 1 cup honey
- 2 TBS chopped orange rind
- Coarse cinnamon sugar to serve
Instructions
- Sift together the dry ingredients.
- Add the eggs, honey, and orange peel to form a stiff dough.
- On a floured work surface, roll out dough about 1/2 inch thick.
- Cut shapes with a cookie cutter shape of your choice. Place the honey cooking on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with coarse sugar, and bake in preheated oven at 350 °F until done. Bake cookies for about 15 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack. Serve with a little extra cinnamon sugar up top. Just a little bit will do.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
Variations
Storage & Make-Ahead
Make-Ahead
Storage
Nutrition
Is pure honey good for baking?
Yes, pure honey is good for baking. Honey can be used as a natural sweetener in place of sugar in other dessert recipes, and it also has some unique properties that can enhance the texture and flavor of baked goods.
One of the benefits of using honey in baking is that it is hygroscopic, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This can help keep baked goods moist and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
Honey also has a distinctive flavor that can add depth and complexity to baked goods. It pairs well with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and can also complement other ingredients like chocolate, nuts, and dried fruit.
However, it’s important to note that honey is sweeter than sugar, so you may need to adjust the amount of honey used in a recipe to achieve the desired level of sweetness. You may also need to adjust the other ingredients in a recipe to account for the added moisture from the honey.
Pure honey can be a great ingredient in baking, but it’s important to use it judiciously and adjust as needed to ensure the best results.
What does adding honey to cookies do?
Sweetness: Honey is a natural sweetener, so it can replace some or all of the sugar in a cookie recipe.
Moisture: Honey is a hygroscopic ingredient, attracting and retaining moisture. Adding honey to cookie dough can help keep the cookies moist and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
Flavor: Honey has a unique flavor that can add depth and complexity to cookie recipes. It pairs well with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and can also complement other ingredients like chocolate, nuts, and dried fruit.
Browning: The natural sugars in honey can help cookies brown more evenly and develop a golden color.
Overall, adding honey to cookie recipes can enhance the cookies’ flavor, texture, and appearance while also providing some potential health benefits. Use a good quality honey if you can.
