Jumbo Raisin Cookies

These are my all time favorite cookies.  I love the texture!  I love the taste!  They are absolutely perfect.
Recipe makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup raisins

       1 cup shortening

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs, beaten

4 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place the water and raisins in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Boil slowly for 5 minutes.  Set aside. Do not drain!
Cream together the shortening and sugar.
Add the vanilla and beaten eggs; beat until light and fluffy.
Mix  the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg lightly.

Add the raisins with the water and the flour mixture alternately to the sugar mixture.  Mix well.

(If you want you may add one cup nuts of your choice.)

Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.

Place on rack to cool. 

Store in covered container in dry place.

Snowball Cake

This stuff is so yummy! I took it to work and it went fast. Fairly light, chocolatey deliciousness. Easy to make with no cooking involved. Just make and enjoy. Be sure to plan ahead. It takes some time for the mousse to set up in the refrigerator.

Makes 12 to 18 servings

1 loaf angel food cake, sliced into 1/2 to 1 inch slices (You can also use part of a round angel food cake.)

1 package of semi-sweet baking chocolate, 8 ounces

3 Tablespoons water

3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

5 large eggs, separated (room temperature)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 pint whipping cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Line the inside bottom and sides of a 4 quart bowl with waxed paper. Line the bottom and sides of the bowl with slices of angel food cake. Set aside.

Break up chocolate into a double boiler. Melt on low heat. When chocolate is mostly melted, add water and 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add egg yolks one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Add vanilla. Carefully fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture, stirring until combined. Stir carefully to maintain the volume. Pour the chocolate mixture into the bowl into the center of the sliced cake. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 to 24 hours.

An hour or so before serving, carefully invert the bowl onto a large platter. Remove the waxed paper.

Whip whipping cream until stiff. Add 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Use this to frost the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (Leftovers will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator.)