This vintage “Cookies – Mrs. Latagli” recipe captures the warmth and simplicity of mid-century American home baking. Handwritten on a well-loved card, it reflects a time when recipes were shared among friends and neighbors, often passed around at gatherings or church socials. The combination of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves evokes cozy holiday flavors, while the brown sugar and shortening create a soft yet crisp texture. It’s the kind of cookie that fills the kitchen with nostalgia, ideal for afternoon tea or Christmas baking traditions.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Crisco (shortening)
- ½ cups raisins
- ⅔ cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup nuts (chopped, pecans or walnuts)
- ⅔ cups flour
- ⅓ tsp cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 1 dash cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 egg
Instructions
Step 1: Cream Ingredients
- Cream together the Crisco (shortening) and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add Egg
- Add one egg to the creamed mixture and beat until smooth.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Step 4: Combine and Fold
- Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Fold in the chopped nuts and raisins.
Step 5: Shape Cookies
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- Use softened Crisco or substitute with butter for richer flavor.
- Add raisins or chopped dates along with nuts for a chewier cookie.
- Chill dough 30 minutes if it feels soft; this helps cookies hold shape.
- Drop dough by rounded ½ teaspoon or teaspoon depending on size desired.
- Bake on ungreased cookie sheets or parchment-lined pans.
- For stronger spice flavor, increase cinnamon and nutmeg slightly.
- Add a light dusting of sugar on top before baking for sparkle.
- Stir nuts in last to avoid overmixing the dough.
- These freeze well; store in airtight container.
Nutrition
Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 65mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg
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