Glazed Apple Cookies
MAKES 3-4 DOZEN [Caution: If you are making a tray of assorted cookies and plan to cover it, do not put the apple cookies on the tray. The flavors might draw into the other cookies. Also, the apple cookie softens crisper cookies.]
Cookie Ingredients:
2 cups sifted unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/3 cups brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg, unbeaten
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup finely chopped unpared tart apples
1 cup raisins, chopped (optional)
1/4 cup apple juice or milk
Vanilla Glaze:
1-1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla 1/8 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 tablespoons light cream
Preheat oven to 400° F. Sift together flour and baking soda. Mix shortening, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and egg until well blended. Stir in half of flour mixture. Add nuts, apples and raisins. Blend in apple juice, then remaining flour mixture. Drop by tablespoons, 2-inches apart, onto greased cookie sheets. Bake approximately 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, make vanilla glaze. Mix together all ingredients until well blended. Spread thinly over hot cookies.