Grandma Walden's "Raisin Puffs" a.k.a. Crack Cookies

I don't have much of a sweet tooth at all.  Therefore when I encounter something sweet that I can't resist it is truly remarkable and noteworthy.  It's impossible to exercise any amount of self control with these cookies, hence they have been dubbed Crack Cookies, Raisin Puffs being too benign a name.  Make at your own risk!

1 cup water
1 cup raisins (cranberries also work but I prefer raisins)
scant 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup butter,softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon mixed with 1/2 cup sugar

In a saucepan, boil raisins in water until water is gone.  Cool.  Combine flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, butter until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.  Add dry ingredients, beat until blended, and add raisins.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper because I'm anal retentive) and bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes (at 7,000 feet; lower altitude takes 10-12 minutes).  DO NOT OVERBAKE.  Cookies will get firmer as they cool.

Yield:  about 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

source:  Grandma Walden's recipe