my mom's banana spice cookies with lemon butter icing...

my mom has been baking these cookies for as long as i can remember, & boy am i glad that she has!  they are a light, fluffy, cake style cookie with the best contrast of flavors.  i love the holiday kind of spices in the cookie with the tart, creamy lemon frosting.  again... anything with lemon is a friend of mine:)  hopefully you love these cookies as much as my family does.

** if you are making these for non-lemon lovers (which i can't believe even exist!)  you can always use a cream cheese frosting.

{mom's banana spice cookies with lemon butter icing}

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas, about 2 bananas

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a large bowl cream together shortening, sugar, eggs & banana.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover & chill about 1 hour.  

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased cookie sheets.  Bake 8-10 minutes.  Cool & frost with Lemon Butter Icing.

Lemon Butter Icing

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

2 TBSP lemon juice

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

Blend together butter & sugar.  Stir in lemon juice & zest.  Beat until smooth & of spreading consistency.