2 cups butter or shortening
2 cups sugar
1 (16 oz) can pumpkin
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
2 cups raisins
1 cup chopped nuts

Beat together butter, shortening (or any combination of the two) and sugar. Add pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla. Beat well until creamy.

Mix flour and dry ingredients until well mixed. Stir into butter mixture. Add raisins and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.

Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, depending upon size of cookies. Cool on wire rack.

May be frosted with vanilla icing or cream cheese frosting, if desired.