Paximadia with Carob, Hazelnut and Cranberry

Earlier this year, I shared a recipe for Bread with Carob, an ancient ingredient that has gone through a renaissance of late. Many ingredients containing carob flour have appeared on Greek grocery shelves. Carob is much like cocoa powder and if someone is allergic to cocoa then carob is your go-to ingredient. 

Paximadia with Carob, Hazelnut and Cranberry  (makes approx, 30)

zest and juice of 1 orange

3/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup white wine or apple juice

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. petimezi (grape molasses)

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 heaping Tbsp. baking powder

3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts

1/2 cup carob flour (or cocoa powder)

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour (+ more if necessary)

3/4 cup dried cranberries

Pre-heated 350F oven

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350F. In a food processor, add the orange juice, zest, wine, vegetable oil, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and sugar. Process until mixed well. Now add your hazelnuts and pulse until they look like they are roughly chopped.
2. Empty the contents into a large bowl and now gradually add your carob and flour, cranberries and  mix in with your hands.  Your dough should be smooth to the feel and not tacky. Add more flour if needed.
3. Gather your dough and knead it into a ball. Turn onto your work surface and divide into 3 pieces. Form into three loaves. Place some sesame seeds on some parchment and then place a loaf of dough in it.
4. Place the sheet of parchment paper on your baking tray and lay your three loaves of dough on top. Place your tray on the middle rack and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut the loaves into slices with a serrated knife. Arrange the cookie slices flat on the baking tray.
5. Turn down the heat of your oven to 300F and bake for another 10 minutes. Now turn off your oven and allow the cookies to cool in the still warm oven.
6. Remove the Paximadia and store in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks.

About Petimezi: it is a grape molasses made from boiling grape must. It can be found at Greek, Middle Eastern and Turkish shops. You can use a dark, robust honey or molasses as a substitute

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