Good N Chewy Hermit Bars

By debicakes62

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, or 100% White Whole Wheat Flour, or a combination
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 cup raisins, either dark or golden

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, shortening and margarine till smooth. Beat in the spices, salt and baking soda.

Slowly stir in the flour, then add the molasses and beat well again. Stir in the raisins last.

Pat hermits into a lightly greased pan; mixture will be quite dry. If you're using a half-sheet pan or jelly roll pan, bake for 15 to 20 minutes. If you're using a 9 x 13-inch pan, bake for 25 to 30 minutes. In either case, don't overbake; bars should barely be pulling away from the edge of the pan. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting.