Ingredients:
- ***Apple-Walnut Cookies***
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 cup shortening, room temperature
- 2 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup chopped walnuts plus whole walnuts for finished cookies, if desired
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped apple
- 1 1/2 cups golden raisins, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup milk
- ***Vanilla Glaze***
- 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash salt
- 1/4 cup milk
Preparation:
Combine the flour with baking soda; set aside.
In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, mix the shortening with brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended. Beat in the eggs until well blended. Stir in about half of the flour and baking soda mixture, then stir in the nuts, apple, and raisins. Blend in the milk and remaining flour until blended.
Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet(s), leaving about 2 inches between mounds.
Bake for about 12 to 14 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned on bottoms.
While cookies are baking, combine the glaze ingredients in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and well blended.
Remove cookies to a rack and spread with a thin layer of glaze while still hot.
Makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies. If desired, top each freshly iced cookies with a walnut half or sprinkle lightly with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
