Persimmon Cookies

 Persimmon Cookies

Of course, Grandma’s original recipe did not include a food processor. It just said, mix all of the ingredients together and bake at 350. So, if you don’t have a food processor, no worries. Just cut the shortening into the flour with a pastry blender or two knives. This is the way I did it for years. I do love my processor though.
Yield: 2 to 3 dozen
Ingredients:
1 cup persimmon pulp (about 4)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon each cinnamon and nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup shortening (or butter)
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup chopped dates
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

In a small bowl, mash the persimmon and stir in the baking soda, the mixture will congeal. Set aside.

Place the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse a couple of times to combine. Add the shortening (or butter) and pulse several times until the shortening is the consistency of small pebbles. (or you can cut the shortening/butter into the flour with a pastry cutter).

In another bowl, cream together the egg and the sugars. Add the persimmon/soda mixture and mix well. Stir in the flour mixture and combine well. Add the dates, nuts and raisins. Drop by spoonfuls on the greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes or until slightly browned and puffy. Cool on wire racks.