CLASSIC OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and shortening for 30 seconds. Add sugars, cinnamon, cloves and salt beating until well mixed. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually add flour until combined, stirring in remaining flour if your mixer is having troubles. Stir in oats, carrots and raisins.
• 2. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2" apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until tops are golden. Stand on sheets for 1 minute before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 4 dozen
• 3. **I like to use Sunmaid Baking Raisins but have a hard time finding them. If you can't find them, rehydrate dried raisins with boiling water and allow to stand 15 minutes. They're not as pretty as the Sunmaid ones but they work the same in the cookie recipe.