Grandma Anna's Italian Pepper Cookies
Description
No mixer is needed for this grandma's peppery, walnut-studded Italian Christmas cookies that combine a spicy flavor with a sweet, citrus glaze.
Ingredients
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4 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups white sugar
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1/4 cup cocoa powder
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1 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
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1 cup shortening
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1 cup milk
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1/4 cup orange juice
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1 teaspoon grated orange zest
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 cup raisins
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1/2 cup chopped walnuts
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1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
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3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
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2 tablespoons milk
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1 tablespoon orange juice
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1 teaspoon grated orange zest
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2 tablespoons multi-colored sprinkles, or to taste
Directions
1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2
Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, pepper, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves for cookies together into a large bowl.
3
Place shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments until melted. Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon.
4
Add milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla; mix with a spoon to combine. Add raisins, chopped walnuts, and finely chopped walnuts and mix with your hands to combine. Roll dough into small balls and set 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
5
Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes.
6
Prepare glaze while cookies cool. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Add milk, orange juice, and orange zest and mix until smooth.
7
Brush glaze onto cooled cookies or spread with a spoon. Decorate with sprinkles.