GRANDMA ANNA'S ITALIAN PEPPER COOKIES

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Grandma Anna's Italian Pepper Cookies image

Spicy and sweet old-school Italian Christmas cookie recipe, like my grandma used to make. No electric mixer needed.

Provided by DaniDee

Categories     Italian Cookies

Time 1h10m

Yield 60

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
¼ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup shortening
1 cup milk
¼ cup orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
¾ cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons multi-colored sprinkles, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, pepper, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves for cookies together into a large bowl.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Prepare glaze while cookies cool. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Add milk, orange juice, and orange zest and mix until smooth.
  • Brush glaze onto cooled cookies or spread with a spoon. Decorate with sprinkles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 114.4 calories, Carbohydrate 17.6 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Fat 4.6 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 13 mg, Sugar 10.3 g

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