New England Hermit Cookie Bars

4.52 stars average

New England Hermit Cookie Bars

With a delightful resemblance to gingerbread cookies, these delectable treats boast a soft and chewy texture, crafted with a harmonious blend of ginger, molasses, and raisins.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 17

Total Time 37

Servings

Calories 105kcal

Author Liz Della Croce

Equipment

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 If you have whole cloves you will need a mortar and pestle to grind them up
2 cups brown sugar packed
1 cup butter softened - preferably unsalted
⅔ cup molasses
2 large eggs
2 cups raisins

US Measurements - Convert to Metric

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour one standard jelly roll pan (standard cookie sheet) and set aside. For best results, I would grease with either Crisco or coconut oil.
In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and cloves.
4 cups all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt
With the mixer on medium, beat together brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in molasses then egg and mix until well combined.
2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup butter, 2/3 cup molasses, 2 large eggs
Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Use a spoon to stir in raisins.
2 cups raisins
Scrape edges of the bowl with a plastic spatula to get the mixture together in a ball then scrape out onto a cookie sheet.
Flour hands then carefully press dough into even layer on the floured cookie sheet.
Bake 17-19 minutes depending on oven. Typically I'll spend half the time on the top rack and the other half on the bottom. Remove from the oven when toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Video

Notes

These cookies age well and can handle 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.

I use a 17x11 baking sheet.

Nutrition