Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

This is the second time my Oatmeal Raisin Cookies have ribboned at the Iowa State Fair, and this time they WON!.  I entered them in the "Midwest Living Cookies" division in the "healthy" class -- under NO CHOLESTEROL because they're vegan!  And they're just fantastic.  Here is my recipe adopted from my Grandma's featured in the Church cookbook:

Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Servings: 3 dozen
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
 
1 C. Raisins
1 C. Boiling water

Pour boiling water over raisins and let set. 

1 stick margarine (1/2 C.)
1/2 C. Shortening (Crisco)
1 C. White sugar
1 C. Brown sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Watkin's Black Walnut extract -- this is very hard to come by, if you can't get Watkin's, don't bother with it.
2 Flax eggs (2 T. Ground flax seed mixed with with 6 T. water)

Cream the above ingredients in a large bowl.  Mix in water drained off of raisins.  Then add:

2 T. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Ground cloves
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking soda

Mix thoroughly. Then add:

1 1/2 C. Flour
4 C. Quick oats
Raisins

Mix together.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degree for 8-10 minutes.

Here is what the judges said: 

Flavor: 40/40 (Whoa!)
Texture: 39/40
Appearance: 18/20
Total score: 97/100
Comments:
"Very moist and chewy cookie. Nutmeg really comes out. Really good fiber."

I'll take it!