Hurmashica with Monda Cunmulaj | Eating Albanian Cooking Series

Welcome to the Eating Albanian Cooking Series! Today, we have a special desert Hurmashica which is very similar to Sheqerpare but so different also at the same time. Talk about Albanian dishes and the mixed cultures! So proud!
Hurmashica is a sweet and indulgent delight that will satisfy your sweet tooth and have your family ask for more! And who better to guide us through the process than Monda Cunmulaj herself? She will share with us the secrets behind her irresistible Hurmashica recipe, inspired by her own Albanian mother in law from Montenegro. And this video was the perfect addition to celebrate the Montenegro Week in Albania by honoring our families and friends in Montenegro! We love you!

For the cookies:

• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup sunflower oil ( Avocado oil can be used also for a healthy alternative because it won’t change the taste)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbs baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Crushed walnuts( as preferred)

For the syrup:

• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of sugar
• 5 whole cloves
• Couple of lemon slices
  Directions:
  Add your butter (melted or room temp), eggs, vanilla extract, oil, sugar & milk to a mixer and mix on low to medium until everything is incorporated (about 5 minutes). Next add your flour gradually and continue mixing. Halfway, add your walnuts & mix until the dough comes together to form a “cookie dough” texture. Preheat your oven at 375 degrees.
  Shape your cookies as shown in the video by hand. Very soothing.
  Lay cookies flat in a cookie tray and bake for 25-30 minutes until they are golden brown. As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, immediately add your syrup.(room temperature).
  Let them soak the syrup for a few minutes or place them in the fridge & enjoy!
  For the syrup:
  Add your sugar, water, lemon slices & whole cloves to a deep pan & bring to a boil. Once it has boiled, lower your heat & simmer for 40 minutes. Best is to make the syrup before the cookies so by the time cookies are ready, the syrup would’ve cooled off.

Join us on this exciting episode of Eating Albanian Cooking Series and celebrate the flavors of Montenegro! Let’s get cooking!