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Hermits

Hermits are chewy, moist cookies filled with dried fruit and nuts, traditionally found in farm pantries. This recipe yields four servings and includes molasses and spices for a rich flavor.

Couverts4 servings

Total time 27 minutes mins

estimated costs pp 1.25

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Ingredients

• ▢ 0.4 tsp. baking soda dissolved in ½ cup warm water
• ▢ 0.4 cup brown sugar
• ▢ 0.4 cup chopped dates
• ▢ 0.4 cup chopped nuts
• ▢ 1.6 eggs
• ▢ 1.8 cups flour
• ▢ 0.4 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 0.1 tsp. ground cloves
• ▢ 0.2 cup molasses
• ▢ 0.1 tsp. salt
• ▢ 0.4 cup shortening

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Cream 0.4 cup shortening with 0.4 cup granulated sugar and 0.4 cup brown sugar until smooth.
• Add 1.6 eggs and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• Sift together 1.8 cups flour, 0.1 teaspoon salt, and 0.1 teaspoon ground cloves.
• Dissolve 0.4 teaspoon baking soda in ½ cup warm water.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients alternately with the dissolved baking soda mixture and 0.2 cup molasses to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in 0.4 cup chopped nuts and 0.4 cup chopped dates.
• Drop the dough by rounded teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until set but still soft.
• Remove from oven and let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes & Wine Advice

Serving Advice

Serve hermits as a delightful snack or dessert alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Their chewy texture and rich flavor make them perfect for breakfast or brunch spreads. They also pair well with a mild cheese platter for a unique contrast. Store hermits in an airtight container to maintain their moisture and enjoy them within a week for the best taste and texture.

Variations

For a different flavor profile, substitute the ½ cup warm water with ½ cup cooled black coffee to add depth and a subtle bitterness that complements the sweetness. You can also replace the chopped nuts and dates with 1 cup raisins and 1 cup chopped dried apricots for a fruitier version. Experiment with different nuts such as walnuts or pecans, or add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the spice notes. These variations keep the chewy, moist character of the cookies while offering new taste experiences.

Wine Advice

Port: Port wine's rich, sweet, and fruity character complements the molasses and dried fruit in hermits, enhancing their deep flavors without overpowering the spices.

Zinfandel: Zinfandel offers a bold, fruity profile with spicy undertones that match well with the cloves and nuts in the cookies, creating a harmonious pairing.

Enjoy hermits with a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a robust black tea to complement their rich, spiced flavors without alcohol.

Estimated ingredient cost: USD 1.25 per serving, excluding optional sides and drinks. Local prices vary.

Missing nutrition values have been estimated per serving; existing values were retained. Assumptions: Nutrition estimates are based on the total recipe divided into four equal servings, assuming standard ingredient weights and typical moisture content. The calculations include all ingredients as listed, with no optional substitutions. Serving size is one-quarter of the batch. Optional sides and drinks are excluded.

Nutrition values

Calories: 280 kcal | koolhydraten: 38 g | Eiwitten: 4 g | Vet: 11 g | Verzadigd vet: 2 g | Natrium: 150 mg | Suiker: 20 g

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Course; Treats

Cuisine; American

Season: All Seasons

Occasions Breakfast / Brunch / High Tea

Ingredients and Flavor Profile

Hermits are traditional cookies known for their chewy texture and rich, moist crumb, achieved through the inclusion of dried fruits and molasses. The combination of granulated and brown sugars adds sweetness and depth, while shortening contributes to tenderness and a soft bite. Eggs provide structure and richness, binding the ingredients together. The flour forms the base of the dough, with a small amount of salt enhancing the overall flavor. Ground cloves introduce a warm, aromatic spice note that complements the sweetness of the molasses and dried fruits. Baking soda, dissolved in warm water, acts as a leavening agent, helping the cookies rise slightly and maintain a tender texture. Chopped nuts and dates add texture and bursts of flavor, making each bite interesting and satisfying. This blend of ingredients results in a cookie that is both substantial and flavorful, with a balance of sweetness, spice, and nuttiness that has made hermits a beloved treat for generations. Shortening plays a crucial role in the texture of hermits by providing a tender crumb and preventing the cookies from becoming tough. Its solid fat content helps trap air during creaming, contributing to the cookie’s lightness. The dual sugars—granulated and brown—serve different purposes: granulated sugar adds sweetness and slight crispness, while brown sugar, with its molasses content, imparts moisture and a deeper caramel flavor. The eggs not only bind the ingredients but also add richness and help with leavening, giving the cookies structure without making them dense. The small amount of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the spices, ensuring the flavors are well-rounded and not overly sweet. Ground cloves, though used sparingly, provide a distinctive warm and slightly pungent aroma that complements the molasses and dried fruits, creating a complex flavor profile. Molasses is a key ingredient that defines the characteristic taste of hermits. Its robust, slightly bitter sweetness contrasts with the sugars and adds moisture, which keeps the cookies soft and chewy. The dissolved baking soda reacts with the acidic molasses, producing carbon dioxide bubbles that lighten the dough and contribute to a tender texture. The flour acts as the structural backbone, absorbing moisture and binding the ingredients, while the chopped nuts introduce a crunchy contrast to the otherwise soft cookie. Dates contribute natural sweetness and a chewy texture, enhancing the overall mouthfeel and adding bursts of fruity flavor. This combination of ingredients ensures each bite offers a balance of softness, chewiness, and crunch, making hermits uniquely satisfying. The interplay of these ingredients results in a cookie that is both hearty and delicate. The spices and molasses create a warm, inviting aroma that fills the kitchen during baking, while the nuts and dates provide textural interest. The balance between the sugars and molasses prevents the cookie from being overly sweet or cloying. This harmony of flavors and textures is what has made hermits a cherished recipe across generations. Understanding the role each ingredient plays can help bakers adjust the recipe to their preference, such as tweaking the spice level or swapping nuts for other mix-ins, without compromising the cookie’s signature qualities.

Practical Preparation Tips

When preparing hermits, it is important to cream the shortening and sugars thoroughly to incorporate air, which helps create a lighter texture. Beating the eggs until light and fluffy further contributes to this effect. Sifting the dry ingredients ensures even distribution of the spices and leavening agent, preventing clumps and promoting a uniform dough. Alternating the addition of dry ingredients with the dissolved baking soda and molasses helps maintain the dough’s consistency and prevents it from becoming too dense or wet. Using warm water to dissolve the baking soda activates it properly, ensuring the cookies rise as intended. Dropping the dough by rounded teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet allows for even baking and consistent cookie size. Baking at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes is sufficient to set the cookies while keeping them soft and chewy inside. Allowing the cookies to cool on the sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack prevents breakage and helps them firm up without becoming hard. To achieve the best texture, it is essential to cream the shortening and sugars until the mixture is smooth and slightly fluffy. This process incorporates air, which helps the cookies rise and develop a tender crumb. When adding eggs, beating them until light and fluffy ensures they are well incorporated and contribute to the dough’s aeration. Sifting the flour, salt, and ground cloves together prevents uneven distribution of the spices and leavening agent, which could otherwise cause inconsistent flavor or texture. Dissolving the baking soda in warm water activates it fully, ensuring the cookies rise properly and maintain their softness. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, alternate adding the sifted flour mixture with the dissolved baking soda and molasses. This technique helps maintain a balanced dough consistency, preventing it from becoming too wet or dense. Stirring in the chopped nuts and dates last ensures they are evenly distributed without breaking down, preserving their texture. Using a rounded teaspoon to drop the dough onto a greased cookie sheet promotes uniform cookie size and even baking. Baking at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes allows the cookies to set while remaining soft inside, so it is important not to overbake to avoid dryness. After baking, letting the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes allows them to firm up slightly, reducing the risk of breakage when transferring to a wire rack. Cooling completely on the rack prevents moisture buildup underneath, which could make the bottoms soggy. For best results, use a light-colored cookie sheet to avoid over-browning the bottoms. If desired, chilling the dough before baking can help control spreading and improve texture. These preparation steps ensure consistent results and highlight the cookie’s characteristic chewiness and flavor.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Hermits are versatile cookies that can be enjoyed in many settings, from casual snacks to part of a festive spread. They pair wonderfully with hot beverages like tea, coffee, or spiced cider, making them ideal for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea. Their chewy texture and rich flavor also make them a satisfying dessert option. For variation, you can substitute the water with cooled black coffee to add a subtle bitterness that enhances the molasses and spice notes. Replacing the nuts and dates with other dried fruits such as raisins and apricots offers a fruitier taste and different texture. Adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can deepen the flavor profile. Hermits store well in airtight containers, retaining moisture and freshness for several days, making them a convenient treat to prepare ahead of time for gatherings or gift-giving. Hermits are excellent for serving alongside warm beverages such as tea, coffee, or mulled cider, as their rich, spiced flavor complements these drinks perfectly. They make a delightful addition to breakfast or brunch spreads, offering a sweet yet hearty option. Their chewy texture and balanced sweetness also make them a satisfying dessert or snack. For a festive touch, consider dusting the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzling with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk to add a hint of extra sweetness and visual appeal. To customize hermits, you can experiment with different dried fruits and nuts based on preference or availability. Substituting chopped walnuts or pecans for the nuts can introduce different textures and flavors. Using dried apricots, raisins, or currants instead of dates can add variety and a different fruity note. Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg alongside the cloves can deepen the spice profile, enhancing warmth and complexity. For a subtle twist, replace the warm water with cooled brewed black coffee to complement the molasses and spices with a slight bitterness. Hermits store well in airtight containers at room temperature, maintaining their moisture and chewiness for several days, making them ideal for preparing ahead of time for gatherings or gift-giving. They can also be frozen after baking; just thaw at room temperature before serving. These cookies pair well with cheese platters or can be crumbled over ice cream or yogurt for added texture and flavor. Their versatility and rich taste make them a practical and enjoyable treat for various occasions and meal plans. Browse our treats recipes for more ideas. General kitchen guidance is available from the FDA.