Gilbear’s Apple-drop Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour, stirred before measuring
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup finely chopped unpeeled apple
1 cup raisins, chopped
1/4 cup milk or juice
Vanilla Glaze (recipe follows)

Preparation:

Sift flour with baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. In a
large mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar; beat in egg until
well-blended. Stir in half of flour and spice mixture, then stir in
walnuts, apple and raisins. Blend in milk, then remaining flour
mixture.

Drop by rounded tablespoons of dough, about 2 inches apart, onto
greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes, or
until done. While cookies are still hot, spread thinly with Vanilla
Glaze.

Vanilla Glaze:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon softened butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
a dash of salt
2 to 3 tablespoons of half and half or milk

Preparation:

In a small mixing bowl blend confectioners’ sugar with softened
butter. Add vanilla, salt and half and half or milk until a glaze
consistency is reached.

Source: Chef Gil Zentgraf