FRUIT COOKIES

1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 pound raisins                      .

2 cups solid shortening (can use part butter)

3 cups brown sugar

6 whole eggs

1 cup strawberry jam

1 pound dates, chopped

2 teaspoons soda

2 teaspoons molasses

'8 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons nutmeg

2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 teaspoon salt        .

1 cup chopped nuts 

Combine crushed pineapple and granu­lated sugar in a saucepan and cook  until it is a thick syrup. Remove from heat and cool.

Plump raisins by covering them with hot water; set aside.

Beat together shortening and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir ill pineapple, jam, dates and well-drained raisins. Dis­solve soda in molasses and mix in. Sift flour with spices .and salt and add to mix­ture. Stir in nuts. 

Chill dough for at least 1 hour. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Pre­heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake cookies for 15 minutes.

Yield: About 12 dozen