Applesauce Cookies

Recipe By: Anna Lou Bublick (Robbie's grandma)
Serves: 48
Prep. Time: 9:00

2 cups chunky applesauce
3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup vegetable shortening
2 eggs
1/2 cup cold coffee
1 cup chopped raisins OR chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.)

-Spoon applesauce into a cheesecloth-lined sieve; set aside to drain.
-Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; set aside.
-With an electric mixer, cream together sugar, shortening, and eggs.
-Stir in coffee.
-Slowly beat dry mixture into wet mixture.
-Fold in strained applesauce, raisins/dates, and nuts by hand.
-Refrigerate batter 8 hours or overnight.
-Drop cold batter, 1 heaping tsp. at a time, onto a lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart.
-Bake in a 375 degree oven for 9-12 minutes, until finger pressed in center barely leaves an impression.