Soft Molasses Hermits

By prairiemama

"The first printed hermit cookie recipe was in Miss Fanny Farmer’s famous cookbook that was published in 1896. She made them as drop cookies even though they also come in bar form.
For optimum flavor, leave these homemade cookies alone for a few days so that all the spices have time to blend together. This makes them perfect for mailing" (From Cookies-N-Motion)


Photo:cdkitchen.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, well beaten
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup sour milk or buttermilk

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Sift flour once, add baking powder, soda, salt and
spices; sift again
3. Cream shortening; add sugar gradually and cream
together until light and fluffy
4. Add beaten egg, beat well
5. Add molasses
6. Add dry ingredients with milk, stir only to blend
7. Add raisins
8. Drop on lightly greased sheet pan
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes