Chocolate Spice Ball:

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp Crisco shortening
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 heaping tbsp cocoa

Homemade Holiday Frosting:

1 box confectioner's sugar
1-2 tbsp softened butter
1 capful vanilla extract
milk
food coloring in holiday colors

Preheat Oven to 350°F.

Chocolate Spice Balls:

Mix Crisco and sugar together in large mixing bowl. Add 2 eggs, water and all dry ingredients. Mix until dough is smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Form small balls, place on cookie sheet.

Bake in 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Frost with holiday colors.

Homemade Holiday Frosting:

Cream butter until smooth. Add some confectionery sugar and a capful of vanilla extract.

Add a trickle of milk slowly and in small amounts, stirring until consistency is of smooth frosting. Add several drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly.

Frost cookies and allow icing to set up for 10 minutes before serving. (If you add too much milk and the frosting is too liquid, add a bit more confectionery sugar until the right consistency is achieved.)

Submitted by: Robin Tedesco