Apple Rum Raisin Cookies

makes about 3 dozen

1 cup apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons rum
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar
1 egg

glaze
1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 tablespoons half-and-half

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Combine apples, raisins, rum, and vanilla. Set aside. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Set aside. Beat shortening and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Stir in the dry ingredients and the apple-raisin mixture until combined. Drop by the spoonful onto a baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove cookies to a wire rack and while still warm and spread with glaze.

Glaze: Combine powdered sugar, butter, vanilla and enough cream to make glaze of spreading consistency. Beat until smooth.