Delicious Hermit Cookies
Take a trip back in time with this recipe for hermits!
Hermit cookies certainly have an unusual name, but it's one that we find pretty charming. And if you like the name, wait until you taste the cookies! Hermit cookies have stood the test of time (early recipes date back to the 1880s), and once you taste them it's easy to see why. The delicious chewy, crumbly texture combines with delicious dried fruits and spices. We think these cookies taste like a little bite of nostalgia!
In addition to their great flavor, hermit cookies have also been popular for decades because they are a very durable cookie. That might sound like a weird adjective to apply to a cookie, but we all know that some baked goods last longer and travel better than others. Hermit cookies keep for a long time, and they hold up even when they are packaged and shipped to loved ones. Hermit cookies were even popular treats to mail to soldiers during wartime.
We love these fun facts about this old fashioned cookie recipe, but we have to admit that the biggest reason to make this recipe is just because it tastes terrific. Give it a try! Even though hermit cookies will keep for a long time, we don't think you'll get a chance to test that. They'll be gobbled up by your family in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup seedless raisins
- 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
Hermit Cookies Recipe
Instructions
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Chop raisins finely in food processor with 1/4 cup flour.
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Sift 2 cups flour with soda, cream of tartar, and spices.
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Cream butter with sugar. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk until well blended. Stir in raisins and enough additional flour, up to 3/4 cup, to make a stiff dough.
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Shape into two logs, about 1-1/2" diameter. Chill overnight or freeze.
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When ready to make, slice to desired thickness and bake at 375-400 degrees until done (15-20 minutes).
Note
Slice thinly and bake quickly for crisp tea cookies, or slice 1/4" or more thick and bake in a slower oven until just set for a chewier New England Hermit.