Penzey's Chocolate Spice Drop Cookies

I got this from Penzeys Christmas 2006 catalogue. Wanted to get it up here so I don't lose it.

• Ready In: 28 mins
• Yields: 6 dozen

Ingredients

• 2  cups  sifted flour
• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 cup  ground nuts
• 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
• 1  cup milk

• Frosting

• 2  cups powdered sugar
• 3⁄4 teaspoon shortening
• 3  tablespoons evaporated milk
• 2  tablespoons warm water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla or 1⁄4 teaspoon  almond extract

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift the flour into a large bowl.
3. Cut the shortening in with a knife.
4. Add sugar, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, and nuts.
5. Mix well.
6. Add milk gradually and mix thouroughly.
7. Drop dough by teaspoon 1 1/2 inches apart on a large, greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
9. Let cookies cool before frosting.
10. Frosting:.
11. Mix all ingredients together until smooth.
12. Frost cooled cookies.