-
Preheat oven to 350°F Lightly grease cookie sheets.
-
With an electric mixer cream together the butter, shortening and sugar in a bowl until fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until mixture is light in color. Add buttermilk (it will appear a little curdled at this stage, don't worry).
-
Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg,cinnamon, cloves and allspice; stir into creamed mixture. Stir in the oatmeal, raisins, walnuts and vanilla, blending well. (Dough will be soft and sticky).
-
Drop by rounded teaspoons onto cookie sheet. (I use a small cookie dough scoop that looks like an ice cream scoop--makes this job easy and ensures uniformly rounded cookies).
-
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Oven temperatures and size of cookies you make vary, so check your first batch at least by 9 to 10 minutes.