Recipe: Apple-Walnut Drop Cookies

Apple-Walnut Drop Cookies
alt.cookies.yum.yum.yum/LindaVE/2001
Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen

3 cups all-purpose flour -- sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup soft shortening
2 cups light brown sugar -- packed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups apple -- chopped finely, unpared
1 1/2 cups dark raisins -- chopped
1/2 cup apple juice or milk glaze (below)

Glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar -- sifted
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine -- softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 F. Lightly grease several cookie sheets.

Sift flour with baking soda. Mix shortening, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and eggs until well blended.

Stir in half of flour mixture, then nuts, apple, and raisins. Blend in apple juice or milk, then remaining flour mixture.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.

Bake 11 to 14 minutes, or until done. While cookies are still hot, spread thinly with Glaze. Decorate with bits of apple, if desired.

GLAZE:
In small bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well.
Use to glaze Apple-Walnut Drop Cookies.