Greek Honey Walnut Balls

FOR SYRUP: Combine hiney, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup orange juice, stickcinnamonand whole cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and boilgently, uncovered for 5 minutes. Strain syrup, discarding spices. Remove 1/4cup of the syrup. Set remaining syrup aside. Combine ground walnuts andorangepeel in a medium bowl. Stir in the 1/4 cup syrup; set aside.

FOR DOUGH: Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer onmediumto high speed for 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, groundcinnamon, baking soda, ground cloves and nutmeg; beat until combined,scrapingsides of bowl occasionally. Beat in the 1/4 cup orange juice and brandyuntilcombined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remainingflour with a wooden spoon.

Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Using your finger, press a hole in thecenter of each ball of dough. Place about 1/2 teaspoon of the nut mixture inthe center of each ball. Bring dough up around mixture, enclosingcompletely.

Place balls, seam side down, about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.

With a knife, score an X on the top of each ball.

Bake in a 350~F. oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until set. Cool on cookiesheetfor 1 minute. Meanwhile, warm reserved syrup over low heat; do not boil.

Brushtops of hot cookies with warm syrup or dip tops into syrup. Sprinkle withfinely chopped walnuts. Transfer to wire racks and cool.