Apple Harvest Cookies

Apple Harvest Cookies

These are my favorite autumn cookies and right in season for the apple harvest. Their spicy, warm aroma is enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Update:  Traditionally, I think of this as a harvest recipe but as I read back over the ingredients, I realized that this is a great recipe in Winter and Spring, too because of the healing spices included.
Cinnamon is a great warming spice that offers antiseptic, anti bacterial and digestion soothing properties.
Allspice is useful for indigestion.
Cloves offer antiseptic properties and is a digestive aid.
Nutmeg offers digestive remedies for stomach upset and nausea.
   

Shown below is the original recipe. (I've made some changes to make them a little more whole foods friendly.)

1-1/2 Cup flour (organic, unbleached white flour w/ wheat germ)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt (real salt or sea salt)

1/2 tsp cinnamon (organic)
1/4 tsp allspice (")
1/4 tsp ground clove (")
1/8 tsp nutmeg (")
3/4 Cup shortening (butter made from raw milk)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar (organic evap cane juice plus 1/2 tsp organic blackstrap molasses)
1 egg (free range)
1 TBSP water
1 cup diced apple (organic - see the dirty dozen list at http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php)
1-1/2 cup oatmeal (organic)
1 cup raisins (organic, unsulfered)

Sift together dry ingredients.
Add shortening, sugar, egg and water.
Beat until thoroughly mixed.
Stir in apples, oats and raisins
Roll into walnut size balls roll in cinnamon/sugar.
Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes

To make drop cookies, add another egg.

Yields 2-1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.



sharing this recipe with the folks @ Wildcrafting Wednesday #107

I've posted this recipe on the REAL FOOD WEDNESDAY blog carnival.  Check out all the wonderful recipes and information available there.

I'm also sharing this recipe with Sweet as Sugar Cookies for their "12 weeks of Christmas Cookies"