Pour boiling water over raisins. Let stand 10 minutes. Drain raisins, reserving 1/4 cup liquid. Sift together flour, soda, salt and spices into a bowl. Add shortening, sugar, eggs and reserved liquid. Beat until smooth, about 12 minutes. Stir in raisins and oats. Chill dough at least 1 hour or more.
Push by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated moderate oven, 350 degrees, about 15 minutes. Yields 3 dozen large cookies. |