Recipe: Wright's Dairy Farm Hermits

This recipe is featured in The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook, 2nd: Big Recipes from the Smallest State.

WRIGHT'S FARM HERMITS

3 cups sifted flour
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger (optional)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated white sugar*
1/2 cup butter and lard, combined**
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 egg, beaten
1 cup chopped raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Confectioner's sugar (optional, for dusting)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift flour, baking soda, spices and salt together; set aside.

Cream sugar and fat, alternately adding dry ingredients with molasses and buttermilk. Finally, add in egg and raisins (and walnuts here if using).

Spread mixture 1/2-inch thick onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake 10-12 minutes until just firm.

Cut into oblong shapes, and if desired, dust with confectioner's sugar while cookies are still warm.

*1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated white sugar may be used instead of 1 cup granulated sugar

**Vegetable shortening may be substituted for lard.

Source: The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook, 2nd: Big Recipes from the Smallest State by Linda Beaulieu