"North End" Italian Cookies

4 cups flour, sifted

4 teaspoons baking powder

5 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

3 eggs, well beaten

1 cup milk

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon oil of orange or orange extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup coarsely crushed walnuts

1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

1/2 cup maraschino cherries in jar, drained and chopped (optional)

1. In a large bowl, combine sifted flour, baking powder, unsweetened cocoa, cloves, and cinnamon. Mix well.
2. In a separate bowl, add beaten eggs, milk, oil, white and brown sugars, orange oil, and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and mix thoroughly. Dough will be fairly thick and sticky.
4. Add crushed nuts and chocolate chips.  If desired, add drained, chopped cherries.
5. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until you can handle well, using more flour if needed.
6. Wet hands with oil or dust with flour. Break off pieces of dough and roll into size of large walnuts.
7. Place on a greased cookie sheet, 1 inch apart, and bake for 15-20 minutes in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven. Let cool.
8. Spread frosting on cooled cookies and place on waxed paper to dry

Frosting Recipe:

2 Tablespoons melted butter

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 heaping Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon oil of orange or orange flavoring

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Tablespoon milk or black coffee

Mix ingredients will until smooth enough to spread.  If mixture is too dry, add more milk or black coffee. If too soft, add more sugar.

Italian Toto Cookies from the North End Italian Cookbook
Submitted by Christina B.