Old-Fashioned Hermit Cookies

By Diana Rattray

Updated 05/20/19

Old-fashioned hermits with raisins and nuts
Diana Rattray
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 Dozen (48 Servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
97 Calories
4g Fat
15g Carbs
1g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 Dozen (48 Servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 97
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 89mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 2%
Protein 1g
Calcium 18mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These old-fashioned hermit cookies are full of flavor and texture, just like Grandma's! The easy brown sugar drop cookies are flavored with spices and chopped raisins along with chopped walnut or pecans. 

Feel free to use dried cranberries instead of dates or raisins, or make them with chocolate chips.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1/4 cup butter (softened)
  • 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup coffee (cold)
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 8 ounces
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Optional: dash ground cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped dates (or raisins)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 375 F.

  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

  3. Measure the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices into a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

  4. In a mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat the shortening, butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and cold coffee; beat on low speed until well blended.

  5. Add the flour mixture and stir until well combined.

  6. Fold in the dates or raisins and nuts.

  7. Drop the cookie dough by rounded teaspoon or small cookie scoop onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.

  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

  9. Remove the cookies immediately to a cooling rack.

Expert Tips

  • If you are using parchment paper to line cookie sheets, speed the process up. While one batch is baking, prepare another sheet of parchment paper with drop cookie dough. When the first batch is finished, slide them off onto a rack. Carefully slide the loaded sheet of parchment paper onto the cookie sheet and continue baking.
  • Drop cookie dough onto a baking sheet and then freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cookie dough drops to freezer bags and freeze them. When you're ready to bake, put them on prepared baking sheets and let them stand at room temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes. Bake as directed.

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