Down East Hermits
Soft, spiced, and irresistibly chewy, Down East Hermits are the quintessential old-fashioned molasses cookies that capture the warm flavors of a traditional New England bakery. Packed with aromatic cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these cookies are elevated with the richness of molasses, plump raisins, and crunchy walnuts or pecans for the ultimate bite. A quick and simple recipe with just 20 minutes of prep time, these treats are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy snack alongside a steaming cup of tea. With their deep flavors and soft texture, these molasses cookies are a timeless classic that stays fresh for days, making them an ideal bake-anytime indulgence.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.25 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 0.5 cups molasses
- 0.25 cups hot water
- 1 cup raisins
- 0.75 cups chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the molasses, until the mixture is completely smooth.
Dissolve the hot water into the mixture and mix thoroughly.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix.
Fold in the raisins and chopped nuts until evenly distributed in the batter.
Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are just firm to the touch.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4155 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 121.3 g | 156% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.8 g | 189% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 496 mg | 165% | |
| Sodium | 2758 mg | 120% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 739.3 g | 269% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.0 g | 86% | |
| Total Sugars | 472.0 g | ||
| Protein | 64.7 g | 129% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 816 mg | 63% | |
| Iron | 31.1 mg | 173% | |
| Potassium | 4673 mg | 99% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
