Old-Fashioned Christmas Raisin Delights

Ingredients

• 3.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup packed brown sugar
• 0.75 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1.75 cups raisins
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts

Steps

1. To make the dough: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together; set aside.
2. Beat brown sugar, white sugar, and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix at high speed for 2 minutes, then reduce speed and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours.
3. To make the filling: Combine ground raisins, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup water, salt, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 3 minutes.
4. Combine cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water; mix until smooth. Add to raisin mixture and continue to simmer until thick. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, stir in the chopped nuts.
5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
6. Roll out chilled dough to 1/8 inch thick on a floured surface; cut into two 3/4 inch rounds. Place rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Place a heaping teaspoon of raisin filling on cookie round and top with another round; crimp the edges closed.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on sheet until just barely warm.