I love a good cookie especially dipping it into my coffee or tea! Raisin filled cookies are one of my favorites so I’m always willing to try a new raisin cookie recipe. While reading one of my old cookbooks I stumbled across these Hermit Cookies. Being that these last so long is the reason behind the name Hermit Cookie. However, they didn’t last long in my house. I love the mixture of spices, and they’re a tad crunchy on the outside while being soft in the center which is the perfect cookie to me. I hope you’ll take a trip down memory lane and make these delicious cookies too!
Old Fashioned Hermit Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup baking raisins
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 325°F. Cover a 15 x 20-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar.
- Whisk in the egg and molasses; mix until combined.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until completely combined.
- Stir in the raisins.
- Using 1/2 cup of dough, roll into a 7-inch log. Make 6 logs and place them on the cookie sheet 2 – 3 inches apart. (They will spread a lot when they bake.)
- Bake for 20 – 22 minutes. The centers will be very soft but will firm up as they cool. Do not overcook or they will be crunchy, not chewy.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the sheet pan then transfer to a wire rack. When completely cooled, cut each piece into 3 bars.
- Serve and enjoy!
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Can the dough rolls be frozen and baked at a later date?
Yes they can!
May I ask if this is correct – no ground ginger but 1 teaspoon of ground cloves? I am concerned that would be so overpowering. Can you confirm the measurements?
Thank you!
Yes that is correct, one teaspoon of ground cloves along with the other spices.
However, if you feel if may be overpowering, cut back on the clove a little for your first batch 🙂
I usee to make these years ago and lost my recipe. After a thourough search on line i saw yours and they looked just like what i used to make. I wasnt disappointed They are delicious. Thank you Allowing them to store airtight overnite makes them even better
They get chewier and the beautiful spices mellow
I made these they are delicious and so easy to make a old time favorite of mine thanks for the recipe 😊
Thank you for the kind comment. I am so happy you liked them!
Hermits! I am going to make these tomorrow. I used to enjoy hermits a lot when I was a youngster growing up in New England (when small independent bakeries were everywhere …. sigh). Thanks for the recipe. I’ll report back.
How sweet! I hope these are just as good as you remember 🙂