Rum Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe is adapted from The Pioneer Woman, originating with a Quaker Oat recipe. It is one in which you have to think ahead if you want to soak the raisins overnight  in rum. Alternately, if rum is not an option, you can plump the raisins by bringing them to a boil in concentrated orange juice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup rum
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp pancake syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup sliced almonds

Method:

1. Rinse raisins and place in a small bowl. Pour rum over them to almost cover and soak overnight.
2. In mixing bowl, cream butter, shortening, sugars and syrup until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla.
3. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients and add to wet, beating in well.
4. Add rolled oats, drained raisins and nuts, mixing them in well.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 9 - 10 minutes at 375 F.
6. Cool on cookie sheets. Yields 3 1/2 dozen.