Grandma’s Cookies Are a Favorite Again

“My grandmother carried this recipe around in her head until I finally persuaded her to write it down,” Cathy Dion writes. “She was 94 at the time. She has sinced passed away, but many pleasant memories of her are involved each time I stir up a batch of these family favorite cookies.”

CHOPPED RAISIN-SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup raisins

3/4 cup butter

Sugar

2 eggs

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cup buttermilk

Plump raisins in warm water and drain. Cream butter with 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add raisins. Mix flour with baking soda, baking powder, salt and allspice. Stir dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk into butter mixture. Chill well.

Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out and place on ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle each cookie with sugar before baking. Bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes or until done. Remove from baking sheet and cool on paper towels or rack. Makes 5 to 6 dozens.

--CATHY DION

Los Angeles