Recipe for Giant Cherry-Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoon apple pie spice or pumpkin spice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 each eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cup regular rolled oats
1 1/2 cup snipped dried cherries or raisins
1 teaspoon shredded orange peel

Instructions

In a large bowl mixer bowl beat shortening and butter for 30 seconds or until softened. Add sugars, pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat thoroughly. Beat in flour. Stir in oats, cherries or raisins, and orange peel. Generously fill a 1/3 cup dry measure with dough and drop onto a greased cookie sheet. Press into a 4 inch circle. Repeat with remaining dough, placing cookies 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake in 375 oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden. Let stand for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Store cookies in an airtight storage container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze container, for up to 3 months.