ITALIAN CHRISTMAS SPICE COOKIES

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Italian Christmas Spice Cookies image

While growing up in Boston, every Christmas my Neopolitan auntie would make a delicious chocolate round cookie spiced with cloves. She called them "Todors" (phonetic spelling). It's been 50 years since I've had them as no bakery seems to make them. Finally, after much research, I was able to locate a recipe that sounded just like the real thing. I tweaked the recipe a bit till I got the taste that I remembered. Warning: You can't each just one.

Provided by Dedee Royale

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 50-55 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup dark unsweetened cocoa
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola oil or 3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup almonds, chopped plus sliced for garnish
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
3 -4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar (to garnish)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
  • In a large separate bowl mix together eggs, sugar, oil, milk and vanilla.
  • Add flour mixture to wet mixture in small batches and mix until combined.
  • Add chocolate chips and chopped almonds. Dough will be very stiff.
  • With lightly oiled hands, continue to mix the dough till all ingredients are incorporated. Wash hands thoroughly.
  • Lightly oil your hands again so the dough won't stick to them and break off pieces of dough, rolling them with your palms into balls the size of walnuts.
  • Arrange on prepared baking sheet 2" apart and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Once cooled, dip the top of each cookie into the chocolate glaze. While still wet garnish tops with a few sliced almonds.
  • When set, re-dip the bottom of each cookie back into the chocolate glaze and let set again.
  • While still slightly wet, generously dust or roll each cookie into 1 cup powdered sugar.
  • Set aside to dry before stacking.
  • Cookies will keep in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

Michelle Williams
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Overall, I thought these cookies were just okay.


Aubree Craven
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The cookies were a bit dry.


Titus Medina
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These cookies are a bit too spicy for my taste.


friso stokman
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I love the warm, spicy flavor of these cookies.


Gzim Gashi
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These cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the holidays.


iltaf. ahmed
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I've never made spice cookies before, but these were so easy to make and they turned out perfect.


Samina Bilal
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I'm so glad I found this recipe. These cookies are a new holiday tradition in my family.


CoFF3e Vr
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These cookies are so good! I can't stop eating them.


Tahirsaleem Tahir khan
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I made these cookies for a holiday party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them.


Johnjohn Ross
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These cookies are a bit time-consuming to make, but they're worth the effort. They're so delicious and festive.


Anton Alstes
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I love the festive shapes of these cookies. They're perfect for Christmas parties or cookie exchanges.


Laxmi Humagain
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These cookies are so delicious! The combination of spices is perfect, and the cookies are the perfect texture - crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.


Ewart Muller
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I'm not much of a baker, but these cookies were surprisingly easy to make. The instructions were clear and concise, and I had no trouble following them.


Danielle Dodd
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I've been making these cookies for years, and they're always a hit with my family and friends. The perfect balance of spices and the chewy texture make them irresistible.


odoom michael
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These cookies are the epitome of Christmas! The warm, spicy aroma filled my kitchen as they baked, and the festive shapes added a touch of merriment to my holiday decor.