Amish Oatmeal Cookies

1 ½ cups raisins

1 cup salted peanuts

6 cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 ½ cups shortening

3 cups white sugar

2 cups quick cooking oats

3 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup dark molasses

4 eggs

Grind raisins and peanuts through food grinder, set aside.

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon into a very large bowl. Cut in shortening using a pastry blender until mixture forms fine crumbs.

Add ground raisin mixture, sugar and oats, mix well. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk in small bowl. Add molasses and 3 of the eggs, beat with rotary beater until blended. Add to flour mixture, mix well with spoon.

Drop by heaping tablespoons about 3 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Flatten each with floured bottom of a drinking glass. Beat 1 egg in a bowl until blended. Brush tops of cookies with egg. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.