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Spiced Hermit Cookies

Hermit cookies are a classic New England cookie, and for good reason. They are soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices, dates, raisins, and walnuts. This is a no-chill recipe, so the dough comes together quickly and the cookies can be in the oven in about 15 minutes.
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Cooling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 47 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients (~36 cookies)

  • 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
  • 1 large egg well beaten
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 3/4 cup chopped dates
  • 2 cups raisins

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Cream brown sugar, shortening, and butter until light in stand mixer.
  • Mix in beaten egg and vanilla, then add buttermilk on low speed.
  • Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves in separate bowl.
  • Add dry ingredients to wet mixture in 4-5 additions, mixing just until incorporated.
  • Fold in walnuts, dates, and raisins until evenly distributed.
  • Drop tablespoon-sized portions onto prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake 10-13 minutes until centers are set and spring back when touched.
  • Cool completely on wire rack.

Notes

Mixture may look curdled after adding buttermilk - this is normal.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & let me know!