Raisin Drop Cookies

My mother has made these cookies for year and they are delicious. I never liked them until my aunt, Benice, made them once when I was at her house. The story goes that I came home talking about some delicious cookies that "Aunt Neecie" had made, so my mom called her to get the recipe. It was HER Raisin Drop Cookies that I always said I didn't like.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 2  cups raisins
• 1  cup water
• 4  cups  sifted flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  cup shortening
• 1 3⁄4 cups sugar
• 2  eggs, slightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  nuts

Directions

1. Place raisins and water into saucepan and bring to boil. Boil until raisins are plump, about 3 minutes. Cool (do not drain).
2. In mixing bowl, sift flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices together.
3. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the raisins and any remaining water.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the sugar & raisin mixture, blending thoroughly after each addition.
5. Stir in nuts.
6. Drop by tablespoon about 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets (USE A SILPAT! THEY ARE WONDERFUL!).
7. Bake at 375¯ for 12 - 15 minutes. Cool on cooling rack.