Down East Hermits

By Addie

"A delicious Maine Hermit recipe that I have been making for years. Moist and just the right mixture of spices and raisins. Great with coffee and for dunking! You might be thinking--Where is down east? To Mainers, down east is down in the most eastern part of Maine. To others in the country, down east IS Maine." By Mimi in Maine

Ingredients

• 1 cup soft shortening
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup cold brewed coffee
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups raisins
• 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
• ============

Preparation

Step 1

Mix together thoroughly--shortening, brown sugar, and eggs. Blend in the cold coffee.



Mix in the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add in the raisins and walnuts--mix well. Chill 1 hour.


Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet.


Bake at 400 degrees for about 8-10 minutes or until set--just until when touched lightly with fingertip, almost no print remains. Do not over-bake.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

REVIEWS:


My first attempt at hermits. A real childhood favorite for me. Thank you for sharing your recipe Mimi. Love the Down East flavor. Made them again for Christmas 2009....so good!!

Mimi, your Down East Hermits were downright delicious!n I have not tasted such a good hermit cookie in a long time. It will be my "Out West Hermit cookie" now. Thanks for posting.