My favorite, hands down:


Ingredients

Sift together:

2 cups plus 2 T sifted all-purpose flour
¾ tsp double-acting baking powder
⅛ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Add:

¼ tsp nutmeg (use ½ tsp if using freshly grated nutmeg)
¼ tsp ground cloves
2 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp anise seeds
1 tsp cardamom

Cream together:

½ cup butter
⅓ cup sugar

Add and bet well until light:

1 egg

Add:

¼ cup finely chopped almonds
1 T finely chopped citron
¼ cup finely chopped candied orange peel

Add the flour mixture to the above ingredients in thirds, alternately with:

⅓ cup molasses
1 T corn syrup
¼ tsp brandy extract
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 T lemon juice

Beat well, then set aside overnight. Preheat oven to 350. Shape into 1-inch balls and bake on a greased cookie sheet 10 to 15 minutes. Roll while warm in a vat of powdered sugar.