[1] Along with the kourabies, it is a traditional dessert prepared primarily during the Christmas holiday season.

[2][3] Historically, melomakarona are thought to be derived from the ancient and medieval makaria, which were eaten during funerals.

[4] Typical ingredients of the melomakarono are flour or semolina, sugar, orange zest and/or fresh juice, cognac (or similar beverage), cinnamon, crushed or ground clove and olive oil.

Immediately after baking, they are immersed for a few seconds in cold syrup made of honey and sugar dissolved in water.

Dark chocolate-covered melomakarona are also a more recent variation of the traditional recipe.