Sicilian Mocha Cookies

This Italian cookie dough, shaped into balls, contains the flavor of chocolate & coffee for the mocha, plus spices--cinnamon, cloves & allspice.

Ingredients:

• Cookies:
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup (unsalted) butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cooled strong coffee
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 oz finely chopped walnuts (2 cups)
• Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened butter, softened
• 1/4 cup strong coffee, cooled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, spices, and cocoa powder. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla. Add half of the coffee and then half of the flour. Add remaining half of coffee and then the flour and the walnuts. Roll dough into 1" balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake 12 minutes. Cool completely. Make glaze by mixing together powdered sugar, butter, cocoa powder and vanilla. Dip tops of cookies in glaze and let dry on a rack.

Number of Servings: about 40

Notes from the Cook: These may be made without the nuts.