Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This recipe originally came from Grandma Mecham, who lived 2 houses over from us in Bountiful, Utah.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
2 cups raisins
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Boil raisins with water for 2-3 minutes. Cool. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour with salt, baking powder, soda, and spices. Add flour to creamed mixture alternately with raisins, oats, and nuts. Mix well and drop by teaspoonfuls on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake.

Chocolate Chip/White Chocolate & Craisin Cookies

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 12-ounce package chocolate chips
nuts (optional)

Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt, and soda. Add additional flour (if needed) so dough is moist but not sticky. Mix in chips and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

White Chocolate & Craisin Cookies
Follow above recipe, but instead of chocolate chips add 1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips and about 1 1/2 cups of craisins. Add chopped pecans if desired.