Italian Frosted Chocolate Cookies

Recipe View 5 mins Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)

Recipe View 15 mins In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt. Stir in the orange zest. Cut in the vegetable shortening and margarine using your hands or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (15 minutes)

Recipe View 20 mins In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until light and foamy. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients, along with 1/4 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup milk. Knead the dough in the bowl until it is thoroughly combined, stiff, and no longer sticks to your hands (about 8 minutes). Knead in the softened cream cheese until well combined, then fold in the chopped walnuts. (20 minutes)

Recipe View 15 mins Shape the dough into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the dough balls onto ungreased baking sheets. (15 minutes)

Recipe View 25 mins Bake the cookies in the preheated oven, in batches, until they are lightly browned around the edges (12-14 minutes). Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely. (25 minutes)

Recipe View 10 mins Prepare the frosting: In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of milk, 1 teaspoon of orange juice, and 1 cup of confectioners' sugar. Beat until smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar until the frosting is thick and drizzles slowly from a spoon. Add more milk or confectioners' sugar as needed to achieve the desired consistency. (10 minutes)

Recipe View 8 hrs Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the frosting and place them back onto the wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips. Allow the frosting to set completely, 8 hours to overnight. (8+ hours)