Hermit Cookies
Hermit Cookies are hearty, packed with dried fruits and nuts, and perfect for dipping into coffee or tea. More scone like than cookie, they’re slightly sweet with a soft, bread like texture. And perfectly delicious!
This recipe is sponsored by Millican Pecan. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures possible.
I’m not gonna lie. This cookie recipe has been on the must make list for a few years now. I think it was the first #ChristmasCookies we did a few years ago where I put the on the sheet. Sadly, they just didn’t turn out so I had to drop back and punt with a different recipe.
Then last year, I was going to put them on there but found more genealogy specific recipes. The cookies on Wednesday are a nod to my German heritage. And they are FABULOUS! So not sharing those. I’m not sharing these either. They are THAT GOOD!
Some of you are like, “Hermit cookie? What in the world is that?”
I don’t even remember how I came to find this kind of cookie. I think I just did a search for hermit cookie and it came up. And I’m sure I just laughed loud and hard when I found an actual hermit cookie. Because there’s a bit of a story behind the search.
I am a data person. I compile data and analyze and look at the story it tells. At least I try to look at the story it tells. I also find better and more productive ways to perform those tasks and many other tasks. So, I’m process reengineering. I didn’t know any of these keywords when I started doing all this work. In fact, it wasn’t until last year that I found the correct phrases for the tasks that I perform.
Anyway, for those that manage and wrangle data, you can agree with me that you spend quite a bit of time alone. That is unless there’s a team of you and, well, never had a team. Still don’t have a team. I am a team of one at my current job doing data analytics.
Now some might think I enjoy working in a silo (another buzzword which basically means working alone) and that’s not necessarily true. But it did lead to the nickname I acquired in my previous position.
They called me hermit.
They called me hermit because I spent a lot of time in my office alone. I know it will be shocking to find out that I’m an introvert and didn’t really feel the need to chit chat with the rest of the office. Heck, they rarely if ever came into my office to chat. And those that did received a reciprocal visit every now and them.
Introverts build meaningful relationships and find chit chat uncomfortable. Which I didn’t realize until Mom posting something about that on me FB timeline. I was like, “That’s absolutely true! It’s awkward and I am not great at it.” Hence why I don’t typically chit chat at work. I’m there to work; not make friends. Sometimes I make friends but I’m okay with not making friends. Those friends I do make will hopefully last beyond work. Some do. Some not so much.
For those of you that are data analysts with few to little comrades performing the same work, you can understand all of that. And I think that’s why my manager thinks I prefer to work in a silo, but that’s not entirely true. My issue is, I have no idea who WANTS to learn what I know and am doing currently for the client. That was the case in the previous position and is the case in this one, too.
Either way, it led me to find this delicious cookie!
I’m going to tell you know, the batter is thick. They’re truly a cross between a scone and a cookie. They have almost a bread like texture of a scone, but the sweet and buttery flavor of the cookie.
And they are PACKED with flavors. The recipe calls for golden raisins. And I totally intended to put those in there but couldn’t find them. Then I looked for currents. No go. What I did find was a dried cranberry, chopped dried cherries, and golden raisin blend to use. I’ll have to make them again with just golden raisins but use whatever dried fruits you want in there.
It’s funny that I see mostly the golden raisins in these cookies even with those other two fruits in there. And those sweet pecans! With all their maple flavor. That’s what pecans taste like to me when they’re fresh and delicious. Maple syrup. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s what I taste.
It’s funny, I put this recipe and two others on the sheet. Then when I found out Millican would sponsor us again this year, I intentionally put a macaron on there that used the pecans. When I started writing the recipes for the other two cookies I chuckled. They both called for pecans or nut meals. Pecans in this cookie and pecan meal in the cookie I’m sharing Wednesday.
Seriously. Just look at all that fruit and nut goodness right there!
They’re a sturdy cookie that will hold up to dipping in coffee or tea. Or even milk! I’m thinking coffee. I’ll have to try that later today. The rich flavor of the coffee and fruits and cookie would be delish.
It just goes to show you that you never know where inspiration for a recipe might happen. For me, it’s a nickname from work. But these cookies have a history. Of course you knew I had to bring that up. The hermit cookie is kin to a tea cake. Which makes sense in the scone like texture of this cookie. Some even liken it to a fruit cake. And with the fruits and nuts in there, I can see that, too.
You can also cut it into slices or scoop into cookie rounds. It’s truly a recipe that has changed it’s shape and ingredients based on time and location. Some include dates. While some recipes have molasses in them. But they all are hearty cookies that will last a while. If you can keep from eating them!
Hermit Cookies
Hermit Cookies are hearty, packed with dried fruits and nuts, and perfect for dipping into coffee or tea. More scone like than cookie, they’re slightly sweet with a soft, bread like texture. And perfectly delicious!
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup cold coffee
- 1 cup golden raisins (I used a mix of dried cranberries, golden raisins, and chopped dried cherries because I couldn't find golden raisins)
- 1 cup chopped Millican pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Combine the flour with the baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Beat the brown sugar with the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until combined and light in color.
- Change to the paddle attachment and add the eggs one at a time mixing between each addition until combined.
- Stir in the coffee and beat until blended.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until incorporated.
- Stir in the fruits and nuts.
- Scoop the dough out onto a silpat lined baking sheet with a cookie scoop.
- Bake at 400 for 13 to 15 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned around the edges.
- Cool in pan 5 minutes them move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 237Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 39mgSodium 184mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 2gSugar 10gProtein 4g
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These cookies are packed with so much goodness. They sound divine and I love the idea of having them with a nice cup of tea.
Thank you! They are perfect with tea or coffee.
Those spices and coffee too! Such great flavors in this cookie and it would be an amazing addition to a holiday cookie tray.
Thank you! The coffee reminds me of my steamed pudding recipe.
What an interesting story behind finding the cookie! My daughter is a mechanical engineer turned programmer and has considered doing data analytics. Almost started a grad program.
Data analytics is a hot trend in jobs now. And data/process mining, too. All about making things better, faster, stronger!
So many yummy flavors in these, I love the used of the dried cherries!
It was out of necessity! I couldn’t find golden raisins. Still can’t, which is weird.
I’d gladly be called a hermit if I had these cookies in front of me…I mean no one to share with….win!
Right?? I like the way you think!
Yummy cookies and I love the plate they are on!
Thank you! I can’t even remember where I got that plate, but it is fun.
I never made hermit cookies. These will make a nice addition to my Christmas cookie tray!
I grew up with a traditional steamed pudding recipe, and this his similar ingredients. I hope you try them because they’re so good.
Perfect for tea time. Love the name.
Thank you! It’s a fun name and people give you the stink eye when you say the name like you made it up.
There’s nothing quite like a cookie with lots of add-ins! Yum!!!
That’s what I was thinking!!
These cookies will be on my holiday dessert menu for sure!
Right? So much flavor in there and so different than other cookies.
Thanks for a well detailed recipe, it sounds easy to make. I’m excited to give this a try.
It was easy to make! I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
These cookies sound so good! Love the nuts and fruit in these!
Thank you! They are packed with flavors and crunch.