Happy Spicy Hermit Cookies Day (Nov 15)! Spicy Hermit Cookies bring warmth and comfort to every bite. These classic treats make a perfect snack or dessert for the holiday season.
Contents
Spicy hermit cookies recipe
Spicy hermit cookies are a version of the classic hermit cookies, especially popular in New England. These cookies have a soft, chewy texture and a rich blend of spices and dried fruits.
Hermit cookies use a dough with molasses, brown sugar, and warm spices. Common spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They typically contain dried fruits, like raisins, currants, or dates. Some recipes also include nuts for extra crunch.
Spicy hermit cookies have a warm, inviting flavor. It offers a delightful texture mix. The soft cookie contrasts with chewy dried fruits and crunchy nuts. These cookies are perfect for cozy gatherings or a comforting snack on chilly days.
These cookies pair well with strong black coffee, hot chocolate, or spiced chai tea. For a festive drink, try them with mulled wine, or balance their sweetness with a glass of chilled milk.
For food, pair them with sharp cheddar cheese or crumble them over a citrus fruit salad. They are excellent served with caramel ice cream, mixed into a yogurt parfait with honey and berries, or alongside roasted nuts and dried fruits.
Here’s how to make the spicy hermit cookies:
Spicy Hermit Cookies
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 ½ cups raisins or currants optional
- ½ cup chopped candied ginger optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Stir in the raisins or currants and chopped candied ginger if using.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Variations
From this recipe, you can make other versions of these hermit cookies. Here are some suggestions:
- Dried Fruit Medley substitutes raisins with dried cranberries, apricots, and figs for a tangy-sweet flavor. This mix enhances the cookie’s taste, creating a balanced sweetness.
- Nutty Delight replaces walnuts or pecans with chopped almonds or hazelnuts to add variety. The nuts provide crunch and a buttery flavor, complementing the spices perfectly.
- Coffee-Infused Concord Hermits replace molasses with cooled brewed coffee and increase brown sugar to 1 cup. This adjustment creates a robust flavor.
- Spiced Chocolate Chip Version adds semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips along with dried fruits and nuts. The chocolate balances spiciness and adds richness for a delightful contrast.
- Cinnamon Glazed Hermits are drizzled with a glaze of confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla over cooled cookies. This addition adds sweetness and a creamy texture to the spiced flavors.
- Pumpkin Spice Hermits add 1/2 cup pumpkin purée and replace traditional spices with pumpkin pie spice. This variation creates moist cookies with warm, seasonal flavors ideal for fall.