Hermit Cookie Bars: the easy recipe for a popular old-fashioned cookie

Hermit cookie bars are an old-fashioned baked treat that never goes out of style. Similar in flavor to gingerbread cookies, these delicious, chewy cookies have their origins in 19th-century New England. The recipe spread to Canada where hermit bars became a much-loved favorite. Made from flour, butter, sugar, warming baking spices, and dates, hermit cookies are perfectly sweet, temptingly fragrant, with a little crunch thanks to the chopped nuts dotted throughout each bite. Bake a batch of hermit cookie bars to enjoy with coffee or tea, as a homemade sweet to pack into your child's lunchbox, or just because they're so tasty!

What is a Hermit Cookie?

Hermits are sweet, chewy cookies that date back to late 19th-century New England. There are a few theories as to how they got their name. One suggests it's thanks to the fact hermit cookies stay fresh after many days, making them a great snack for long journeys. Another theory maintains that hermit cookie bars were adapted from a Middle Eastern treat, which is suggested by the spice, raisins, and nuts featured in the recipe.

Tips for Making Old-fashioned Hermit Cookies

– Don't overmix the dough otherwise, the cookies may become dense.

– You can use pecans instead of walnuts or raisins instead of dates in your hermit cookie bars. Mix it and up and see what you like best!

– Use room temperature ingredients to make your hermit cookies.

– Traditionally, hermit cookies are made in a square shape, but you can simply scoop out the dough and place it on the baking tray with a classic round cookie shape, so you don't need to fuss around with cutting and shaping the dough.

– Use your favorite glaze to top hermit cookies. Try the lemon glaze, or swap the lemon juice for the vanilla extract for a vanilla glaze.

How to Store Hermit Cookie Bars

Store leftover hermit cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For long-term storage, place them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 2 months.

How to Make Hermit Cookie Bars 

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves to combine.

In a separate bowl, beat butter, shortening, and brown sugar using a handheld mixer. Beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and coffee on low.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Fold in the dates and walnuts.

Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking tray, creating an elongated shape.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Remove it from the oven and place it on a rack to cool completely before slicing the cookie dough into bars.

You can also drizzle glaze on cookie bar top.

Notes

The ground clove is an optional ingredient, but it adds so much wonderful flavor to hermit cookie bars, it's worth including.