Senior Citizen Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

LOL! This was the best name I could come up with to get your attention...these cookies deserve more than a cursory glance. I chose "senior citizen" for 2 reasons: this is my adaptation of a recipe from my Mother's 1937 "New BH&G Cookbook" and the addition of bran tickled my sensibilities re: regularity! I do believe plumping the raisins, the addition of the liquid, and the combination of spices creates an outstanding oatmeal cookie. In recent months I've tried several other recipes but decided to return "home" to this one. I hope some of you agree :)

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup raisins, reserve 6 Tablespoons of liquid
• 1  cup shortening
• 1  cup sugar
• 3  beaten eggs
• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon clove
• 2  cups quick-cooking oatmeal
• 1⁄2 cup  oat bran (I prefer Hodgson Mill brand)
• 1  cup  chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Cover raisins with boiling water and cook 5 minutes.
3. Drain, reserving 6 tablespoons juice.
4. Cream together shortening and sugar, add eggs and beat until smooth.
5. Sift flour with salt, soda, and spices; mix with oatmeal and bran and add to first mixture alternately with raisin liquid.
6. Add nuts.
7. Drop on greased cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes.