REFRIGERATE RAISINS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream sugars and butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle. , For filling, in a saucepan, combine the cornstarch, flour and brown sugar. Stir in water until smooth. Add raisins. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir and cook for 3 minutes or until thickened. Cool. , On a floured surface, roll out dough into 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in.-round cookie cutters. Spoon 2 teaspoons filling on top of half the circles and top each with another circle. Pinch edges together and cut slit in top. , Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Steps:

• In a stand mixer, or by hand cream the sugar and butter.
• Add the salt, egg, milk, baking powder, baking soda and vanilla; mix until combined.
• Turn off the mixer (if using) and add all 3 cups of flour. Turn mixer on low (or stir by hand) and mix until a soft, sticky dough ball is formed.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for several hours.
• In a small saucepan, mix the sugar and cornstarch well to blend and smooth any lumps.  Add water and whisk until smooth.  Add the lemon juice and raisins and bring to a boil on medium heat.
• Reduce to simmer and cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Filling will be thick.
• Divide dough into 3 parts, refrigerate remaining dough while working.
• Dust work surface with flour and roll out dough to 1/8 inch to just under 1/4 inch thickness.
• Cut into 2-1/2 to 3 inch rounds with cutter. Make sure to cut even numbers of rounds. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Top each bottom cookie round with a teaspoon or so filling. Do not allow filling to go all the way to the edge of the round and do not over-fill. Press the mound of filling down lightly with dampened finger if necessary to flatten somewhat.
• Top the cookie and filling with another cookie round. There is no need to seal the edges, the soft dough seals and bakes together.
• Bake 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes rotating the sheet pan half way through. Cookies should only start to be a bit golden brown on the bottom and should stay soft.