St John’s Greek Bake Sale raises money for the church and its mission

Daphne Johnson is baking up a storm in her small yet happy kitchen. 

Johnson explains, “I’m currently in the process of baking about 300 melomakaronas for the Eat Like a Greek Bake Sale, we’re going to have at St John Orthodox Church this coming Saturday from 10:30am to 3:00pm at our little church. It’s on Flormann Street. So come on down. We’ve got six different bakers who are baking all types of goodies. We’ve got biscotti apricot, we’ve got all Albanian caramels, we’ve got baklava, we’ve got koulourakia, which is like a shortbread. We’ve got all kinds of goodies. So come on down.”

Attendees will also be given a tour of the church by Father Joseph. Elenitsa’s Fabulous Greek Food Truck will also be at the bake sale.

Johnson continues, “So come on down, get something to eat and help us raise some funds not only for our church, but for the mission here in Rapid City. And these aren’t just your average chocolate chip cookies. I mean, these are intense ethnic type foods.”

Although it may look simple, Johnson assures it is because she has a system down. Making two double batches will make about 350 melomakaronas. After the melomakaronas are baked and cooled, they get bathed in a very hot homemade syrup with honey, orange, lemon and cinnamon. Finally, they are sprinkled with nut sugar, cinnamon, and a nutmeg mixture.

Johnson encourages everyone to stop down to the bake sale and try their creations.

“They’re good to eat. Delicious. So it’s probably nothing like you’ve ever tasted before.”