Melindres Gallegos Recipe: Sweet Spanish Anise Glazed Cookies 2026

Melindres Gallegos are dry, baked cookies from Galicia with a distinctive anise aroma and a thin, crackly sugar glaze. The dough itself is barely sweet, so the flavor comes from the glaze that sets to a snowy white finish once it cools.

They are one of those traditional sweets that vary from town to town and from kitchen to kitchen. This version keeps things simple: flour, melted butter, egg yolks and anise liqueur for the dough, then a quick sugar syrup to coat them. Baking instead of frying makes them lighter and easier to prepare at home.

The only tricky part is glazing them quickly, because the syrup firms up fast. Pouring the syrup over the cookies rather than dipping each one keeps the process manageable. In about half an hour of active work you will have 36 little glazed rings, perfect with coffee or as a sweet snack.

Ingredients for Melindres Gallegos

Makes 36 cookies

• 200 g wheat flour
• 20 ml melted butter
• 20 ml anise liqueur
• 4 medium egg yolks
• 150 g sugar
• 50 ml water

How to Make Melindres Gallegos Step by Step

1. Make the dough

Mix 200 g wheat flour with 20 ml melted butter, 20 ml anise liqueur and 4 medium egg yolks using a stand mixer for 5 minutes, or by hand, until you have a smooth, homogeneous dough. Cover and let it rest for 1 hour.

2. Shape the melindres

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. Take portions of dough and roll them into strips about 24 cm long and 1 cm thick. Divide each strip into 3 pieces and roll each piece into a ring, pressing the ends together well, like a doughnut, to form the melindres. Place them on a baking sheet.

3. Bake and cool

Bake the melindres for 10 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.

4. Prepare the syrup

Make the syrup by heating 150 g sugar with 50 ml water in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture until it thickens slightly. Then pour the syrup over the melindres.

5. Glaze and dry

Stir well so the melindres are thoroughly coated, then let them dry on a wire rack. When the syrup has cooled completely it will turn whitish. At that point the melindres are ready to enjoy.

Tips for the Best Melindres Gallegos

Work quickly with the glaze

The syrup cools and sets very fast, so have your wire rack ready before you start pouring. Coating the cookies by pouring the syrup over them in a bowl is easier than dipping each one individually.

Shape matters

The classic shape is a ring, but the ends can open during baking. If you prefer, form small knots instead so the dough stays closed and the cookies keep their shape.

Let the glaze set fully

The glaze turns white and crisp only once it has cooled completely. Let the cookies dry on the rack without touching them, and store them in an airtight container once set.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

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After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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