Hermit Bars – Chewy Molasses Cookie Bars

Are you ready to party? Today we are hosting a Virtual Baby Shower in honor of my good friend Rachel of Rachel Cooks who is expecting her second bundle of joy (a boy!) in December.

Rachel and I finally met in person this past October when we co-hosted Taste of Michigan. A platter of Hermit Bars was my ”nice to finally meet you!” gift and rumor has it, she enjoyed one or five.

Credit must be given where credit is due: Hermit Bars are my husband’s specialty. A Boston native, they originated in New England back in the 1800′s. Dense and moist, hermits age very well and were given to sailors in tins to last on long expeditions.

Sweet, chewy, spicy (from the ginger), buttery and perfectly balanced with the right amount of salt, a chef friend of ours describes hermits as “sweet crack.” I concur. A fantastic edible holiday gift, these babies will stay moist and delicious for weeks – if you can avoid eating them all first!

Happy Baby Shower, Rachel!! We are so happy for you and your family. I know E is going to be a great big sister!! xoxo – Liz

5.0 from 1 reviews

Hermit Bars – Chewy Molasses Cookie Bars

Author: Liz DellaCroce | The Lemon Bowl

Nutrition Information

Serves: 64

Serving size: 1 cookie
Calories: 105

Fat: 3 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Unsaturated fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Sodium: 80 mg
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg

Recipe type: Dessert

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 17 mins

Total time: 37 mins

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Soft and chewy cookie bars made with ginger, molasses and raisins. Perfectly balanced with a pinch of salt – these are addictive!!

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups brown sugar – packed
1 cup butter (2 sticks) – softened
⅔ cup dark molasses
2 large eggs
2 cups raisins

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour one cookie sheet and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking power, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, salt and cloves.
With mixer on medium, beat together brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in molasses then egg and mix until combined.
Reduce speed to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Use a spoon to stir in raisins.
Scrape edges of bowl with a plastic spatula.
Flour hands then carefully press dough into even layer on the floured cookie sheet.
Bake 17-19 minutes depending on oven. Remove when toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Notes

These cookies age well and can handle a little air exposure. They are very moist and last several days (if they last that long!) Slicing Tip: A pizza slicer is a great way to ensure even slicing.

Thank you to our lovely hosts, Brandy and Brandi plus the incredibly talented Heather for creating this adorable graphic! Be sure to visit all of my fellow bloggers below who came up with the most incredible dishes for Rachel’s Shower!

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