Boiled Raisin Cookies - Happy Mothers Day!

This is a picture of me and my mom a long long time ago! She still looks exactly the same to me even though this picture is 30 something-ish years old!

I remember spending a lot of time in the kitchen with my Mom as a kid. She always did a lot of baking and cooking. I remember helping her stir and passing her ingredients and of course licking the beaters. We even had our own little mini bread loaf pans; we always had to make our own little breads. I wonder what happened to those little pans. Anyway, it took a very long time, but I know the reason I love to be in the kitchen now is because of all the time I spent with her.

So in honour of her, for Mother's Day, I made her favourite boiled raisin cookies. I used to love coming home from school and smelling these warm from the oven. I think the recipe came from her mom. They are soft and moist and a little spicy. I love them.

Here is what you need,

2 cups raisins

1 cup of water

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 eggs, well beaten

1 tsp vanilla

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp all spice

1 ½ tsp cinnamon

4 cups all purpose flour

Put the water and raisins in a small sauce pan. Out over medium high heat and cook until the water starts to boil. Keep at a boil for 5 minutes. Do not let it boil dry!

Remove from heat and stir in the 1 tsp. baking soda. Let the mixture cool a little.

In the bowl of a stand mixer cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time. Add in the vanilla and spices. Gradually add in the flour. Mixture will get very stiff and a little crumbly, don’t worry! Add in the raisin mixture, with any water that is left in the pot. Gently stir all together.

Drop by the heaping tablespoon onto a silpat lined baking mat.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Thank you so much Mom! Not only for teaching me to love being in the kitchen but also for teaching me how to be a loving, funny, strong, and smart woman, Just like you!

I love you Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Jen