Raisin Filled Cookies (niki A.)

1 c. shortening
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
5 1/2 +/- cups flour (I usually have to add more flour)
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar together. Add vanilla. Add eggs and beat until fluffy. Measure flour adn add salt, soda and baking powder. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, stir until smooth. add more flour if necessary. Chill dough for several hours in frig. I take a little bit out at a time and roll it to 1/8" thickness. Cut with a round cutter and place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet, spread with the following filling:

3 c. whole raisins
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
2 tsp. flour
1/2 c. chopped nuts (I never used nuts in mine)

Combine ingredients and cook until thick stirring constantly. After cool then I run through my food processor, you don't have to, but we like our filling grounded now whole...So it's your choice...
Cool before spreading on cookies. Put a tsp. of filling in center of each and cover with another round of dough. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
*Makes 4 dozen cookies

*These really are easy to make the key is to make sure your filling is cool and your dough is cold, I usually put my dough in the frig at least 3 hours.... You don't have to put a hole in the top you can just put a slit on the top to vent it.
Enjoy :-)