Desserts Cookies International Cookie Recipes Italy Grandma Anna's Italian Pepper Cookies Be the first to rate & review! 2 Photos Spicy and sweet old-school Italian Christmas cookie recipe, like my grandma used to make. No electric mixer needed. Submitted by DaniDee Updated on November 23, 2021 Save Rate Print Share Close Add Photo Prep Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Additional Time: 15 mins Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Servings: 60 Yield: 60 cookies Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1x 2x 4x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. Original recipe (1X) yields 60 servings Cookies: 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar ¼ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup shortening 1 cup milk ¼ cup orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup raisins ½ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts Glaze: ¾ cup confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 teaspoon grated orange zest 2 tablespoons multi-colored sprinkles, or to taste (Optional) Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, pepper, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves for cookies together into a large bowl. Place shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30-second increments until melted. Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon. Add milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla; mix with a spoon to combine. Add raisins, chopped walnuts, and finely chopped walnuts and mix with your hands to combine. Roll dough into small balls and set 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in batches in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet briefly before removing to a wire rack to cool completely, about 15 minutes. Prepare glaze while cookies cool. Place confectioners' sugar in a bowl. Add milk, orange juice, and orange zest and mix until smooth. Brush glaze onto cooled cookies or spread with a spoon. Decorate with sprinkles. I Made It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 114 Calories 5g Fat 18g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 60 Calories 114 % Daily Value * Total Fat 5g 6% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 13mg 1% Total Carbohydrate 18g 6% Dietary Fiber 1g 2% Total Sugars 10g Protein 1g 3% Vitamin C 1mg 1% Calcium 10mg 1% Iron 1mg 3% Potassium 54mg 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.