1 c. soft shortening
2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. buttermilk or sour milk
3 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Mix by usual method, then "take as you think" of raisins, nuts, candied fruit, dates, etc. Chill dough, drop on lightly greased sheet and bake until set at 350 degrees.

If the dough has too little nuts and fruit, the cookie is edible but flat and uninteresting. If in moments of culinary exuberance too many goodies are added, the cookie falls apart in the baking, lacking enough dough to hold it together.

Your best judgment must be used if the Take-As-You-Think recipe is to produce attractive and satisfying food.