Raisin Crisscross Cookies

Here's a recipe straight from my grandma's kitchen. She used to work as a school cook and this was one of her favorite cookie recipes. Mine too.

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-2 tablespoons water, as needed to make a nice dough
1 cup raisins, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large mixing bowl, cream shortening, sugar, egg, and lemon extract. In small bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture in 3 parts, mixing well. May add 1-2 tablespoons of water as needed to make a soft dough. Stir in raisins. Roll into walnut-sized balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten with fork to make a crisscross pattern #. Bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned on edges. Yum! Makes 2 dozen.
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.