JEWELS

1/3 cup shortening

1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mace
1 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
2 1/2 cups (approx. 1 lb) candied fruit
2 cups coarsely chopped nuts
Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the shortening, sugar, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Take out 1 cup of the flour mixture and toss with the candied fruit and nuts. Stir the remaining flour mixture into the sugar mixture. When well combined, add in the fruit, nut mixture and stir to blend.

Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls about 1-inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Garnish with some powdered sugar, if desired.

Yield: Appoximately 6 dozen.

Pillsburyk photo