Folk Fare: Irish Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter, at room temperature 1 cup sugar 3 eggs beaten 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt (opt.) 1/2 cup Irish whiskey 1/4 cup golden raisins 1/4 cup chopped almonds 1/4 cup chopped citron or candied orange peel

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cream butter and sugar until fluffy; beat in eggs.
• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into butter mixture, alternating with whiskey.
• Add fruit and nuts and mix well.
• Drop from a teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets and bake 6-8 minutes.

Makes about two dozen cookies.

Note: these cookies can also be rolled into two logs, wrapped in waxed paper, chilled, and sliced. Or, chill, roll out, and cut with cookie cutters. Bake as above.

(Ginny Huszagh)