GRANDMA'S RAISIN OATMEAL COOKIES - YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER COOKIE!

Well, here it is--the recipe for my all-time very favorite cookie ever!  This recipe has been around our family forever--it's my Grandma Hirschi's recipe for her OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES.  This cookie can't be beat in my opinion!  It is moist, meaty, not too sweet, and filled with walnuts and ground raisins, which gives it a different look and taste from other oatmeal raisin cookies.  They freeze well--in fact, I even like them right out of the freezer!  I have a friend who doesn't like raisins, and she even loves these!  It is a favorite of several in our family, and I think you'll enjoy these!  This cookie was one of my recipes they featured in the write up on me in the "Mom's Best" section in the Dec/Jan issue of TASTE OF HOME MAGAZINE--it's a keeper!

GRANDMA'S RAISIN OATMEAL COOKIES

3/4 cup melted shortening

2 cups regular oatmeal

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 heaping cup of nuts, chopped

1/2 cup boiling water

1 heaping teaspoon baking soda

2 cups ground raisins (or chopped fine)

3 eggs

Melt shortening.  In a bowl, combine oatmeal, flour and sugar.  Pour melted shortening over mixture and stir together.  (Mixture will be crumbly).   Add salt and chopped nuts.  Boil water; add soda to water.  Grind or finely chop raisins.  Pour water/soda liquid over raisins and let sit a  minute or two, then add to the oatmeal mixture.  Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until blended well.  Bake at 325 degrees on a greased cookie sheet for about 15-20 minutes,  until done.  Cool on rack.  These freeze well.  Umm, good!