Italian Chocolate Balls

By Marylee

This cookie recipe was given to me by my mother, Lena, who loved the delicious cookies made by her sister-in-law, Lucy. Aunt Lucy would prepare these cookies for every special family event. They are soft, spicy and finished with nuts and chocolate chips.

Ingredients

• Cookies
• 4 cups flour (or as needed)
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 4-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of each: cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1-1/4 cup sugar
• 3 beaten eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 can frozen orange juice
• 12 oz chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup raisons
• 8 ounces chopped walnuts
• Frosting
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1-2 squares melted unsweetened chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• confectionary sugar to make a loose frosting.

Preparation

Step 1

Cookies
Mix together the dry ingredients.
Cream butter or margarine with sugar and then add orange juice, vanilla and beaten eggs
Slowly add dry ingredients until blended
Add nuts and fruits to the batter
Form dough into balls the size of walnuts and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes being careful to not over-bake

Frosting
Combine ingredients to make a loose frosting. When cookies have cooled, frost each cookie and let set.