Hermits(Preparation Time: 20 Minutes. Bake Time: 7 To 8 Minutes.)
Chewy hermit cookies packed with raisins and walnuts, featuring warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors, perfect for cozy snacking or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter flavor Crisco ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons milk ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
- confectioners sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400° F.
- Cream butter flavor Crisco, brown sugar, and milk in a large bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Combine flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Gradually mix into the creamed mixture.
- Stir in raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Drop level tablespoonfuls of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake at 400° F for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove cookies to cooling rack.
- Sift confectioners sugar over cooled cookies before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a delightful twist, consider substituting half of the raisins with chopped dried apricots or cranberries for added flavor. If you're short on time, you can use store-bought cookie dough as a base, enhancing it with the spices and nuts from this recipe. Ensure to chill the dough for a while if it gets too soft during mixing.
Serving Suggestions
These hermits are perfect for serving alongside a cup of tea or coffee, making them a delightful afternoon snack. You can also pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a comforting dessert. For a festive touch, sprinkle with additional confectioners sugar or serve with a side of Rancho Roquefort Dressing for a unique flavor contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover hermits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag, where they can last for up to three months. To enjoy, simply thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hermits(Preparation Time: 20 Minutes. Bake Time: 7 To 8 Minutes.) contains roughly 1604 calories, with 15g protein, 247g carbohydrates, and 65g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (70% of the Daily Value), calcium (59% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (45% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2601mg per serving (113% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of fat instead of butter flavor Crisco?
Yes, you can substitute the butter flavor Crisco with unsalted butter or margarine. If using butter, make sure to soften it before creaming with the sugar for the best texture in your cookies. This slight change can also add a richer flavor to your hermits.
What if I don't have all the spices on hand?
If you're missing any spices like nutmeg or ground cloves, you can omit them or use a pre-mixed spice blend like pumpkin pie spice. Just remember that the flavor will vary slightly, but the cookies will still be delicious. Adjust the cinnamon according to your taste preference.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The hermits are done when they are lightly golden around the edges and still soft in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the rack. Avoid overbaking, as this will make them dry. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).