Recipe: Marriage Cookies (Biscotti Sposalizi)

MARRIAGE COOKIES (BISCOTTI SPOSALIZI)

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, sifted
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened, or 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup coarsely ground walnuts
1 cup raisins, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup milk
FOR THE FROSTING:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon rum extract
Colored sprinkles

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease two cookie sheets.

In a bowl, beat the flour and butter or shortening until well blended. Add the sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, nuts, and raisins and mix well. Add the milk and mix well to make a soft dough. Drop teaspoonfuls of the dough onto the cookie sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until firm. Cool on wire racks before frosting.

In a bowl, mix all the frosting ingredients until smooth.

Dip the tops of the cookies into the frosting, place on wire racks, and sprinkle tops with colored sprinkles. Let the frosting dry completely before layering the cookies between wax paper.

Source: Celebrations Italian Style by Mary Ann Esposito