Include Family Recipes in Your Personal or Family History

                                                                 Family Recipes

                                 Homemade Cookies

         A  couple of years ago, my sister phoned me and asked if I had Grandma’s old raisin spice cookie recipe. She wanted to make cookies for Dad’s birthday, and those were his favorites. I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t find anyone who could find it. That’s how easily a family recipe can be lost.

            Of the thirteen children in my Dad’s family, he is the only one still alive. All of Grandma’s grandchildren ate her raisin spice cookies, but none of us have had the recipe until now. I think I found it.

            Definitely include family recipes in your personal and family history. I can’t tell you how many times my children have phoned to ask me for old family recipes.

Family recipes should be preserved for future generations—even if it’s just to give them an idea of what we ate. Maybe they’ll laugh or maybe they’ll be delighted.

                                   Grandma’s Raisin Spice Cookies

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes     Oven Temperature: 350 degrees

Ingredients:

·         1 cup water

·         2 cups raisins

·         3/4 cup shortening

·         1/4 cup butter

·         1 3/4 cups sugar

·         2 eggs, slightly beaten

·         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

·         1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

·         1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

·         3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation:

In a small saucepan combine water and raisins; bring to a boil. Cook for about 4 minutes; remove from heat and set aside to cool. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and butter with sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In another bowl, stir together dry ingredients, including spices; gradually add to creamed mixture, blending well. Stir in chopped nuts and cooled, undrained raisins. Drop raisin cookies onto greased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are done.
Makes about 6 dozen raisin cookies.

What are your favorite family recipes? Tell us about them in the comments section.