Italian Pepper Balls

These keep well and also freeze well. Rum or whisky works well in place of the brandy.

• Calories: 77 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ cup shortening
• ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ cup confectioners' sugar
• ⅓ cup butter
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 fluid ounce brandy
• 2 fluid ounces brandy

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt shortening and cool. Add in white sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa, black pepper, ground cloves, allspice and ground cinnamon. Stir in flour, baking powder and baking soda and mix well. Stir in milk, 1 ounce brandy, rum or whisky and chopped nuts.

Step 3

Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate 4-8 hours.

Step 4

Break off little pieces of dough and roll into small balls, about 3/4 inch in diameter. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes. DO NOT overbake. Remove from pan and roll in glaze.

Step 5

To Make Glaze: Combine 1/3 cup of butter, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 5 tablespoons cocoa, and 2 ounces of brandy, rum or whisky. Mix until smooth. Roll cooled cookies in glaze and place on waxed paper to dry.