Description
These dense, chewy cookies are a spice lover’s dream, featuring a rich blend of cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. Studded with currants and walnuts and topped with a smooth vanilla icing, they offer a nostalgic flavor profile that feels both classic and sophisticated.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1 cup natural cane sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup currants
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (for icing)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position racks in the top and bottom thirds.
- Sift together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice in a medium bowl.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and natural cane sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending well and scraping down the sides.
- Stir in the currants and chopped walnuts.
- Mix in the dry ingredients and milk alternately in three batches, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor development.
- Drop level tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets and flatten each slightly with damp fingers.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the bottoms are deep golden, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla until smooth and spread over the cooled cookies.
Notes
For the best results, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin to create a stable emulsion in the dough. Chilling the dough is an essential step as it allows the whole wheat flour to hydrate fully and prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during the baking process.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American