Cardamom Balls

These spice laden gems are not overly sweet which is a nice change from the chocolate coated chock full of chips cookies my kids want me to make. Not too sweet with plenty of flavor and the smaller size means you can have three and not just one. And yes you really need to grind your own nutmeg and cardamom, it does make a big difference. You can adjust the clove and cardamom to taste. I go easy on the clove and heavy cardamom.

• Ready In: 29 mins
• Yields: 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  tablespoon honey
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1  egg
• 1 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon powdered ginger
• 1⁄8 teaspoon powdered clove
• 1⁄4 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly ground
• 1⁄2-1  teaspoon cardamom seed, freshly ground (hulled if in the pod)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375.
2. Cream shortening and sugar.
3. Add honey, vanilla and egg, beat until lighter in color.
4. Sift flour, salt, soda, and spices.
5. Add dry to the shortening mixture blending well.
6. Form into balls one inch across.
7. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake for 9 minutes. I use a dark baking sheet and that helps them keep their shape better.