Greek Honey Walnut Balls

MarielC's Note:

Great holiday stuffed type cookie. Yield is a guess as I didn't count.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 60

• 1⁄3; cup honey
• ¾ cup sugar , divided
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 cinnamon stick (about 2 inches)
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 cup ground walnuts
• ½ teaspoon orange peel , finely minced
• 1 cup butter
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup walnuts , finely chopped

Directions:

1. Combine honey, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice, cinnamon stick and whole cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes, uncovered. Strain syrup, discarding spices. Remove 1/4 cup syrup. Set aside remaining syrup.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Combine ground walnuts and orange peel in a medium bowl. Stir in 1/4 cup syrup; set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds or until softened. Add half the flour. Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup orange juice, brandy, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves and ground nutmeg. Beat until well blended. Beat or stir in remaining flour.
5. Form dough into 1-1/4" balls. Using finger, press hole in center of ball of dough. Place about 1/2 teaspoon ground nut filling in hole. Bring dough up around filling, enclosing completely. Place seam side down on greased baking sheet. With knife, crisscross top, forming an "x," scoring surface only. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
6. Bake at 350 F for 18 to 20 minutes, or until set.
7. Remove from oven and let stand on baking sheet 1 minute.
8. Rewarm reserved syrup gently over low heat. Brush tops of hot cookies with warm syrup, or dip tops into syrup. Sprinkle with finely chopped walnuts. Place on wire rack to cool completely.