Reviewed: Mar. 24, 2012

As a New Englander who is very familiar with hermits, I thought these very authentic, easy to make, and were a big hit with my family. I did add just a touch more flour (1/4 c.) and let the dough rest in the fridge for an hour to make it easier to handle. Once I made my "logs" (quite ugly), I brushed them with eggwash and sprinkled them with some granulated sugar (I think turbinado would have been better but I had none on hand). I baked them for a little longer than stated in the recipe, about 18 minutes. Definitely a keeper.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

LYNNINMA

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

Living In: Leicester, Massachusetts, USA

Reviewed: Mar. 3, 2012

I've never heard of Hermit Bar cookies, but these are outstanding. The only change I made was to add some vanilla, and I subbed the white sugar for 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup of splenda. I also increased the spices to 1.5 teaspoons of each. This is definitely one of the best cookies on this site!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
0 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

pinkypink

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Reviewed: Nov. 2, 2011

These are terrific - easy to make and tasty! I used one-and-a-half cups each all-purpose and whole wheat flour and they were delish!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Ellen J

Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)

Reviewed: Sep. 3, 2011

These are fabulous hermit cookies. Just the right amount of clove and cinnamon. They taste great and make your kitchen smell like the holidays! I used cranberris instead of raisins -added a more New England touch to the cookie. I also sprinkled unbaked cookie rolls with Turbinado sugar before baking. Gives them a little extra sweetness and sparkle!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Deepr

Reviewed: Jul. 6, 2011

These cookies are delicious! Five tips I learned after baking them a few times: 1) Hermits are an antique cookie dating back to colonial times. White flour was not available until the late 1800s, so these taste wonderful w/ the original whole wheat as long as you get fresh flour. Whole wheat flour should not be bitter. If it is, it is rancid and should be replaced w/ a different brand. 2) The problem w/ the sticky texture is caused by the egg, probably a recent addition to the recipe. I made it w/o the egg & the dough was easier to handle, & results superb. 3) Don't mix the soda w/ the coffe. Put it w/ the dry ingredients so it retains its leavening power. 4) A tasty variation is to sub frozen oj concentrate & grated orange zest for the coffee. This version needs less sugar. 5) It can be made as a single 1/3" layer instead of strips, cooked a few minutes more, & sliced while warm, if you'd rather not fiddle w/ the dough. Also I agree w/ reviewers who recommend increasing the spices. These end up the tastiest "healthy" cookie I've ever had.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
42 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Little Old Lady

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Long Island, New York, USA

Living In: Westchester, New York, USA

Reviewed: Jun. 23, 2011

Delicious molasses bar/cookie. They are soft, moist, and tasty. I might prefer to drop these to make a cookie but either way they are good. I'll make these again.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

vanvoast

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Reviewed: May 19, 2011

These are delicious! I just made them and my whole house smells fantastic! I WILL make these again! :) Thank you!

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
1 user found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Stacy Cooks

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Columbia, Connecticut, USA

Living In: Middletown, Connecticut, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 28, 2011

WOW these were great! We were looking for a recipe to bring us back to our childhood (my aunt - his grandmother), these came out sooo good. Didn't have cloves so I used nutmeg and a dash of ginger, also added @ 1/3 c applesauce. used 1/2 golden 1/2 reg raisins (approx 1 1/2 cups all together) added 1 c mini choc chips. baked in 9x13 greased pan 20 min and did 1 sheet of cookies 12 min both excellent - I think better than my aunts ssshhhh

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
5 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

Melissa

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Ludlow, Massachusetts, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 26, 2011

I make this recipe at the holiday time. Simple and makes alot. this also reminds me of my Memere which would have very enjoyed them too. Adding the coffee makes it. Made the recipe as is and would not change it either.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
4 users found this review helpful

Reviewer:

MAJHEALTH

Cooking Level: Expert

Reviewed: Jan. 18, 2011

Absolutely delicious. I made exactly as written, except that I divided my dough into 3 strips, so baked for 20 minutes instead of the recommended time. This is definitely a keeper.

Was this review helpful? [ YES ]
3 users found this review helpful