Mamoulia

Mamoulia are festive Greek cookies that have been traditionally prepared on the island of Chios, although they are also commonly eaten on other Greek islands. To make the cookies, a dough of flour, butter, fresh milk, sugar, eggs, olive oil, baking soda, baking powder, and brandy is shaped into small balls which are stuffed with a mixture of finely chopped nuts. The filling typically consists of almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and confectioners' sugar, and it is usually flavored with flower water, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. The cookies often take the shape of a pear, and once baked, they are typically sprinkled with flower water and coated with confectioners' sugar before serving. People on Chios commonly offer these cookies as part of the traditional Christmas buffet alongside various other sweet specialties and mezedes (savory appetizers), all washed down with plenty of local wine and raki (a traditional spirit). These cookies are often flavored with the local masticha (resin), and they are also prepared for other special occasions such as weddings.