![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/WmWXh6oaHPTXByjRkq-MJd6dthU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/9034883-19f2efff25624707af3631411a49b69e.jpg)
Ingredients
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7 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups white sugar
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1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (such as Hershey's)
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¼ cup baking powder
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves
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1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 large orange, zested
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½ cup vegetable shortening (such as Crisco)
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½ cup margarine (such as Parkay)
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5 eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or to taste
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¼ cup orange juice
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¼ cup whole milk
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4 ounces cream cheese, softened
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½ cup chopped walnuts
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3 tablespoons whole milk, or more as needed
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1 teaspoon orange juice, or as needed
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3 cups confectioners' sugar, or more as needed
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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Whisk flour, white sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in orange zest, then mix in vegetable shortening and margarine with your hands until mixture is crumbly.
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Beat eggs and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer until foamy. Add egg mixture to flour mixture along with 1/4 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup milk; knead in the bowl until dough is thoroughly combined and stiff and it doesn't stick to your hands, about 8 minutes. Knead cream cheese thoroughly into dough, followed by walnuts.
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Form dough into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and place onto ungreased baking sheets.
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Bake cookies in the preheated oven in batches until lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Cool cookies on racks.
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Make the frosting: Beat 3 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon orange juice, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar in a bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining confectioners' sugar until frosting is thick and drizzles slowly from a spoon.
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Dip tops of cookies into frosting and place onto racks with waxed paper underneath to catch the drips. Let cookies dry, 8 hours to overnight.
Tips
For the frosting, I've found that exact measurements aren't that important. As long as the consistency is right, the frosting will be good. Add some milk and orange juice (more milk than orange juice, about a 90-10 ratio) to get the right consistency. If it gets too thin, add some more powdered sugar. You can add food coloring to the frosting and decorate with sprinkles if desired.
After frosting the cookies, let them dry overnight on a drying rack over waxed paper. The waxed paper makes cleanup much easier because it catches the dripping frosting.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
78 | Calories |
3g | Fat |
13g | Carbs |
1g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 120 | |
Calories 78 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 3g | 3% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 4% |
Cholesterol 9mg | 3% |
Sodium 83mg | 4% |
Total Carbohydrate 13g | 5% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
Total Sugars 7g | |
Protein 1g | 3% |
Vitamin C 0mg | 0% |
Calcium 33mg | 3% |
Iron 1mg | 3% |
Potassium 28mg | 1% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.