Spicy Raisin Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. raisins
1 1/4 c. water
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/3 c. shortening
2 c. flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
powdered sugar

Preparation

Heat oven to 350\u00b0.
Mix raisins, water, brown sugar and shortening in saucepan.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; remove from heat and cool.
Add to raisin mixture the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and cloves. Stir in nuts.
Spread in greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes until top springs back when touched.
Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Cut into bars.