Mom’s Soft Raisin Cookies

Name: Mom's Soft Raisin Cookies
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 cups raisins; 1 cup shortening; 1-3/4 cups sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

With four sons in service during World War II, my mother sent these favorite cookies as a taste from home to "her boys" in different parts of the world. These days, my 11 grandchildren are enjoying them as we did, along with my stories of long ago.— Pearl Cochenour, Williamsport, Ohio

Ingredients

1 cup water
2 cups raisins
1 cup shortening
1-3/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Combine water and raisins in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes; remove from the heat and let cool (do not drain).
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins.
Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 170 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Mom's Soft Raisin Cookies in Taste of Home Premiere 1993

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Kimberly

Oct 25, 2018

A personal favorite! This brought me back to my Mamaw's house and helping her make these from time to time. I have also taken this same recipe and used only 1/2 C. raisins, substituting 1/2 C. semisweet chocolate chips with 1 C. old fashioned oats, and walnuts for pecans and then the recipe tastes just like Mamaw's Chocolate Chip Raisin Oatmeal Cookies! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe - she would explain her recipes by saying it is some of this, a little of that, etc. It has been hard to match her recipes, but this is really very, very close to two of my favorite cookie recipes she made.
snker0521

Jul 13, 2018

I made these years ago for my kids. We called them Rocks then because of they are left out, they become hard as rocks. The only difference is we use butter because we don't keep much shortening in the house. I'm fact, we substitute unsalted butter for almost everything.
Rusty

Mar 27, 2018

These are wonderful cookies! For a change every now and then, finely grate the zest of an orange and rub it into the sugar between your thumb and finger before beginning. At Christmas I soak the raisins in spiced rum. Freshly grated nutmeg makes a huge difference.
Saudbox

Feb 2, 2018

Have made this recipe for years,got it from my mom, my husbands favourite. Moms were called Jumbo Raison Cookies, ingredients the same as above but some of her amounts are different. They are both excellent recipes. Definitely not a bland recipe. Nummy!
woody41

May 27, 2017

I just made these for the first time!! We love this recipe. My husband, who isn't a sweet eater, even remarked on how much he liked them. These remind me of an old fashioned sugar cookie recipe my Mom use to make at Christmas time with raisins added.
roseofsharonq

May 16, 2017

Made these for Mother's Day and what a hit! So soft & tasty.
mamamarie

Apr 23, 2017

I, too, plan on making these today. They sound good. My Mother made Raisin Cookies, too. She never wrote down the recipe. From what I remember, they sound similar. I have her recipe book, but it is not in there. I will not put nuts in because we have allergies in our family to nuts. Thanks for the recipe.
manga

Jan 24, 2017

My husband and I thought they were bland. Will not make again. I like oatmeal raisin cookies better.
KathyCooks1943

Dec 23, 2016

Love this cookie. Bless you Mom. So good
Mudge46

Apr 18, 2016

Planning to make these today....am amazed that so many reviewers don't read the instructions, though. The recipe plainly states "do not drain" the raisin mixture! C'mon, people, pay attention! Anyway, I do not plan to add nuts as I don't care for them in baked products. Sounds like 4 stars to me.