Mrs. Claus' Cookies

8 Stewed California dried figs

-- (unsweetened) 1/2 c Shortening

1 c Sugar

2 Eggs

1 ts Salt

2 c Sifted all-purpose flour

1 ts Baking powder

1 ts Baking soda

1 1/2 ts Mace

1 1/2 c Crunchy rice cereal

1 c Coarsely broken walnut meats

1/2 c Currants

With scissors, snip stems off figs, and cut them into little pieces. Combine with shortening and sugar, and cream together with eggs and salt. Sift flour, measure and sift again with baking powder, soda and mace. Combine all ingredients. Drop from teaspoon onto buttered baking sheets. Bake in moderate oven (365 F.) for about 12 minutes, or until nicely brown. Source: 48 Family Favorites with California Figs Reprinted with the permission of The California Fig Advisory Board Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias