Italian Chocolate Cookies

6 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup cocoa
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons cloves
1 grated orange rind
1 ½ cups shortening
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup chopped walnuts 

Preheat oven to 350°.  Mix all dry ingredients, add shortening and blend with pastry blender until well mixed.  Beat eggs well, add vanilla and coffee.   Add this to flour with nuts.  Mix well.  If needed, add a little more flour.  Knead.  Form in small balls.  Bake 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet.  Makes 100 or more balls.  When cool, ice thinly.

Copyright 2004 Robert M. Tenuta