Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Indulge in the essence of a New England autumn with these Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies. This recipe intertwines the rich flavors of maple syrup, a medley of warm spices, and the delightful textures of mixed dried fruits and nuts. Each chewy bite offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice, evoking the cozy comforts of the season in every mouthwatering morsel.

Hermit Cookies

Hi Everyone, Hermit Cookies are cookies that I grew up with in New England, where I am from. They are wonderful, with warming spices and chewy with molasses and spiced flavor, infused throughout.

What are "Hermit Cookies"?

Hermit cookies are a classic American treat, often associated with New England culinary traditions. These cookies are rich, spicy, and chewy, filled with a variety of dried fruits and nuts. The origin of the name "hermit" is a bit unclear, but some suggest that it comes from the way these cookies improve with time, much like hermits who prefer solitude and isolation.

The key characteristics of hermit cookies include:

1. Texture: They have a chewy and dense texture, often owing to the inclusion of molasses or brown sugar in the dough.
2. Flavor Profile: Hermit cookies are typically spiced with warm flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. These spices add depth and warmth to the cookies.
3. Dried Fruits and Nuts: They commonly contain a mix of dried fruits such as raisins, currants, dates, or figs along with chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans. These additions offer bursts of flavor and texture in each bite.
4. Aging: Like many spiced baked goods, hermit cookies tend to improve in flavor and texture if stored properly in an airtight container. This allows the flavors to meld together, making them even better after a day or two.

Overall, hermit cookies are a delightful combination of spices, dried fruits, and nuts, making them a beloved treat for many, especially during the fall and winter months.

What's the history of Hermit Cookies?

The exact origins of Hermit Cookies are a bit elusive, but they're widely associated with New England and have a history rooted in American baking traditions.

The term "hermit" is believed to have been derived from the idea that these cookies, much like hermits seeking solitude, tend to improve with time when stored properly. Some stories suggest that these treats were named hermit cookies because they were often kept for a while before being consumed, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.

These cookies likely emerged in the late 19th or early 20th century. They were a popular homemade treat among households in New England and eventually gained recognition across the United States for their distinctive spiced flavor and chewy texture.

The recipe variations for hermit cookies have evolved, incorporating different spices, dried fruits, and nuts based on personal preferences and regional influences. However, the core characteristics of being a chewy, spiced cookie filled with a mix of dried fruits and nuts have remained constant.

While the exact origin story might be unclear, hermit cookies have solidified their place in American baking traditions as a comforting and flavorful treat enjoyed on various occasions, especially in the fall and winter seasons.

What holidays, occasions, gatherings, and events can these Hermit cookies be served at?

These Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies are versatile and can be served at various holidays, occasions, gatherings, and events throughout the year:

1. Fall Gatherings: Perfect for autumn-themed gatherings, harvest parties, or cozy family get-togethers.
2. Thanksgiving: These cookies complement the warm flavors of a Thanksgiving feast and offer a delightful dessert option.
3. Christmas and Winter Holidays: They make a lovely addition to holiday cookie platters or as a sweet treat during Christmas celebrations.
4. Brunches or Tea Parties: Serve these cookies alongside brunch or at elegant tea parties for a touch of homemade goodness.
5. Potlucks and Office Parties: Ideal for sharing at potluck events or as a homemade gift during office parties or cookie exchanges.
6. Weekend Baking: Baking these cookies can be a delightful weekend activity for the family, making the house smell wonderfully aromatic.
7. Gifts and Care Packages: Pack these cookies in decorative boxes or bags as thoughtful gifts for friends, and family, or as a surprise in care packages.

Their rich, comforting flavors and chewy texture make them a hit across various occasions, whether formal or casual, making them a versatile treat for many events throughout the year.

What's the preparation time for this hermit cookies recipe?

The prep time for these Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies is approximately 15-20 minutes. This includes gathering and measuring ingredients, creaming the butter and sugars, mixing the dough, and preparing the baking sheets. It's a relatively straightforward recipe, making it quite convenient to put together!

What's the cooking time for this Hermits cookie recipe?

The cooking time for these Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies is typically around 10 to 12 minutes. They bake at 350°F (175°C) until the edges turn lightly golden. Keep an eye on them as baking times can slightly vary depending on individual ovens and the size of the cookies.

Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies

Here's my unique take on Classic New England Hermit Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, chopped apricots, chopped dates)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Zest of 1 orange

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Instructions for Cookies:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the maple syrup and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie for spreading.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep them chewy.
9. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!

Instructions for Hermit cookie bars:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the maple syrup and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form Cookie Bars: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour at the top, form the dough into a round disc, and divide in 2 with a dough scraper. Place each log-shaped dough on each baking sheet. You can use more flour if the dough gets too sticky to handle.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep them chewy.
9. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the hermits to cool on the baking sheets for 10-15 minutes before cutting into bars. Serve and enjoy!

What are the diets and diet lifestyles that this Hermits cookies adheres to?

These Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies can be adapted to suit various dietary preferences with some modifications:

1. Vegetarian: The recipe, as provided, is suitable for vegetarians as it doesn’t contain any meat or fish products.
2. Egg-Free: If you need an egg-free version, you can try using a flaxseed or chia seed "egg" as a substitute for each egg in the recipe.
3. Dairy-Free: To make these cookies dairy-free, you can use a plant-based butter substitute instead of regular butter.
4. Nut-Free: If nut allergies are a concern, omit the nuts or replace them with seeds or additional dried fruits for texture.
5. Vegan: To make these cookies vegan-friendly, use plant-based butter and substitute the eggs with a suitable vegan alternative.
6. Gluten-Free: You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to replace regular flour. Ensure all other ingredients used are also gluten-free, such as baking powder and spices.
7. Reduced Sugar: Consider reducing the amount of sugar or opting for natural sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar to make a version with reduced sugar content.

Adapting these cookies to specific dietary needs can be done with some ingredient substitutions to accommodate various lifestyles and dietary restrictions.

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These Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies offer a delightful blend of warm spices, sweet maple flavor, and the chewy goodness of dried fruits and nuts. They're perfect for enjoying a cup of tea or coffee on a cozy New England afternoon!

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Hermit Cookies (Classic New England Hermits)

Yield: 24 cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Embrace the flavors of fall with our Spiced Maple Hermit Cookies! Infused with maple syrup, warm spices, and a delightful mix of dried fruits and nuts, these chewy treats capture the essence of New England coziness. Perfect for autumn cravings!

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Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, chopped apricots, chopped dates)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

Instructions for Bars:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the maple syrup and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form Cookie Bars: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, sprinkle flour at the top, form the dough into a round disc, and divide in 2 with a dough scraper. Place each log-shaped dough on each baking sheet. You can use more flour if the dough gets too sticky to handle.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep them chewy.
9. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the hermits to cool on the baking sheets for 10-15 minutes before cutting into bars. Serve and enjoy!

Instructions for Cookies:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the maple syrup and orange zest. Mix until well combined.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Fold in Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Form Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie for spreading.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake to keep them chewy.
9. Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe typically yields around 24 to 36 cookies, depending on the size of each cookie. If you use a tablespoon-sized scoop of dough for each cookie, you'll likely end up with closer to 36 cookies. Adjusting the size of the cookies will ultimately determine the final quantity you'll get from the batch.

Recipe Tips for Success

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation into the dough.
2. Consistent Mixing: Cream the butter and sugars thoroughly for a lighter, fluffier texture.
3. Gradual Dry Ingredient Addition: Add the dry ingredients gradually to the wet mixture to ensure even mixing without overworking the dough.
4. Spice Balance: Adjust the spice quantities to suit your taste preferences. Start with the recommended amounts and tweak accordingly.
5. Dried Fruit and Nut Distribution: Ensure the dried fruits and nuts are evenly distributed throughout the dough for a balanced flavor in each bite.
6. Cookie Size and Spacing: Maintain uniform cookie sizes and leave ample space between each on the baking sheet to prevent them from spreading into each other.
7. Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies while baking and remove them when the edges are lightly golden. They'll continue to set as they cool.
8. Cooling Process: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps in retaining their chewy texture.
9. Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and maintain their chewiness. Adding a slice of bread can help retain moisture.
10. Customize: Feel free to experiment with different dried fruits, and nuts, or even add chocolate chips for a unique twist to suit your taste preferences.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 257Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 118mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 4g

Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best. If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe!

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? If you share it on social media tag us @lifeslittlesweets and hashtag it #lifeslittlesweets - Thank you in advance!

• First published: 11/17/2023
• Added photos: 1/20/2024
• Updated & republished: 6/10/2024

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 8. She loves design, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.

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