Hermits - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sour milk*
1 1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. pecans (optional)
5 c. flour

Preparation

*To make sour milk, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup milk and let stand 10 minutes.