This hermit cookie recipe got here to me through a buddy. I used to be having fun with dinner with my buddy Sante and some others. Sante is a enjoyable individual to talk with as a result of he is a type of guys who by no means runs out of tales – or opinions for that matter. A few of you might know him from his days because the chef on the Sluggish Membership in San Francisco. Late within the night the subject of dialog turned to Christmas cookies.

I’m solidly a shortbread individual, however Sante began speaking about hermits – a cookie he makes usually for a buddy who loves them. I had no concept what he was speaking about. I might by no means heard of a hermit cookie. He went on to explain a easy, drop-style spice cookie loaded with tiny currants and chopped walnuts, completed with a little bit of icing. He promised to share his recipe with me, and right here we’re. As promise, an A-plus addition to any vacation cookie platter.

What are Hermit Cookies?

I’ve come to be taught that there are all types of theories about how these cookies got here to be named. Some say hermit cookies obtained their identify as a result of they style finest once they’ve been hidden away like hermits for a pair days. There’s the speculation that they seemed like a hermit’s brown fabric. The oldest variations of the recipe are considered again to Medieval European hermitages. In order that’s one other angle. It might be a little bit of the entire above. 

There are as many approaches to creating hermits as there are bakers. The widespread elements seemingly spices, raisins or dates, nuts. Some like hermits iced or frosted, others skip it. They’re easy to make. The chewy, nuttiness together with heat flavors like cinnamon, allspice, and cloves strike a pleasant steadiness. And, I maintain considering, this may also make the inspiration for a scrumptious muffin batter.

Hermit Cookies: Professional-tips

Right here are some things I’ve realized after making Sante’s hermits through the years. True to the legend, they’re actually good the day they’re baked and iced, however exponentially higher the day after. The icing develops a little bit of a crust and the spices meld collectively. Hermits are excellent with a cup of espresso within the morning. They’re nice on a vacation cookie plate. A cup of cardamom (or saffron tea) within the afternoon is one other excellent pairing. I additionally by no means skimp on the icing. In case you’re in my camp take into account doubling up on the icing.
Above you may see the cookie dough coming collectively. And under the ultimate consistency of the dough in spite of everything elements have been included.

Hermit Cookies: Variations

Listed below are a couple of variations folks have famous within the feedback that sound improbable! New Englanders positively repping for bar-shaped hermits made with molasses within the feedback.

• Kristin famous, “I added some freshly grated orange zest to the batter. It was powerful to not eat the batter and really bake the cookies, fact be informed.”
• I like the espresso suggestion Paullett makes right here. “I used to bake them usually after I was the prepare dinner on the Convent of Notre Dame in Toronto. I’ve by no means seen one iced earlier than I’ll must attempt it. One widespread addition to them is a little bit of robust chilly espresso and a few molasses. The genuine method is so as to add rasins and walnut however I put candied peel, candied fruit and even pine nuts which could be very not genuine.”
• Elle went the cardamom route and shared, “I baked a batch for my colleagues the opposite day & substituted cardamom for the allspice–it was an excellent name–cardamom is unimaginable on this recipe and folks actually loved the cookies!”

And for any of you shopping this web page across the holidays, here’s a little bit of extra cookie inspiration.

Extra Christmas Cookie Recipes

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