Christmas Hermits

Christmas Hermits Recipe with Raisins, Currants, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon

Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 24

Introduction

Christmas Hermits are a classic holiday cookie that are packed full of delicious fruits and nuts. These chewy and flavorful cookies are perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa or as a sweet treat to share with friends and family during the festive season.

History

Christmas Hermits have been a popular holiday treat for generations. The recipe originated in New England in the early 19th century and has been passed down through families ever since. These cookies were traditionally made during the Christmas season and were often given as gifts to neighbors and friends.

Ingredients

1 cup of soft butter
3 cups of brown sugar
4 eggs
4 tbsp of milk
3 tsp of baking powder
6 cups of flour
2 cups of seedless raisins
2 cups of currants
1 tsp of nutmeg
1 cup of chopped nutmeats
1 tsp of cinnamon
grated orange rind

How to prepare

Cream the butter and sugar.
Add the milk and eggs.
Sift the baking powder with 3 cups of flour, then add it to the creamed mixture and mix well.
Add the raisins, currants, nutmeats, and orange rind.
Mix well.
Sift the spices with the remaining flour.
Add the sifted spices to the creamed mixture and blend well.
Drop rounded teaspoonsful of the mixture onto a greased cookie sheet, spacing them 1 to 1.5 inches apart.
Bake in a preheated 375°F (191°C) oven for 20 minutes, or until the cookies are light brown.
Cool the cookies on a wire rack.
Store the cookies in an airtight container.

Variations

Add dried cranberries or chopped apricots for a different flavor profile.
Substitute the nutmeats with chopped pecans or walnuts for a different texture.
Drizzle the cookies with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for a sweet finish.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy to ensure a tender cookie.

- Be sure to mix the dry ingredients well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the dough.

- Don't overmix the dough once the flour is added to prevent the cookies from becoming tough.

- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and chewy.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy Christmas Hermits with a glass of milk or a cup of hot tea for a cozy holiday treat.

Cooking Techniques

Creaming the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy is key to a tender cookie.

- Be sure to mix the dry ingredients well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the dough.

- Drop rounded teaspoonsful of the dough onto a greased cookie sheet to ensure even baking.

Ingredient Substitutions

Substitute the raisins and currants with dried cherries or chopped dates.

- Use orange extract or orange juice in place of the grated orange rind for a different citrus flavor.

Make Ahead Tips

Christmas Hermits can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the cookies on a festive platter and dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Enjoy Christmas Hermits with a cup of hot cocoa, a glass of eggnog, or a warm spiced cider.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store Christmas Hermits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To reheat, place the cookies in a 350°F (177°C) oven for a few minutes until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Christmas Hermits contains approximately 180 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Christmas Hermits contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Christmas Hermits contains approximately 8 grams of fat.

Proteins

Each serving of Christmas Hermits contains approximately 3 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Christmas Hermits are a good source of iron, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Alergens

Christmas Hermits contain nuts and eggs.

Summary

Christmas Hermits are a delicious holiday treat that are relatively low in calories and provide a good source of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Summary

Christmas Hermits are a classic holiday cookie that are perfect for sharing with loved ones during the festive season. Packed full of fruits and nuts, these chewy and flavorful cookies are sure to become a new holiday tradition in your home.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of finding this recipe for the first time brings a smile to my face. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl visiting my Aunt Martha for Christmas. Aunt Martha was known far and wide for her delicious baking, and I always looked forward to the treats she would make during the holiday season.

On this particular visit, I remember walking into Aunt Martha's warm and cozy kitchen, filled with the enticing smells of cinnamon and nutmeg. She was standing at the counter, a flour-dusted apron tied around her waist, stirring a fragrant mixture in a large mixing bowl.

"What are you making, Aunt Martha?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"These are Christmas Hermits, my dear," she replied, a twinkle in her eye. "A traditional holiday treat that has been in our family for generations."

I watched in awe as Aunt Martha deftly shaped the dough into small round balls and placed them on a baking sheet. The sweet aroma filled the kitchen as she slid the tray into the oven, the cookies baking to a golden perfection.

As I helped Aunt Martha set the table for our Christmas feast, I couldn't stop thinking about those delicious cookies. I knew I had to learn how to make them myself. So, after our meal was finished and the dishes were washed, I asked Aunt Martha if she would teach me her recipe for Christmas Hermits.

She smiled warmly and handed me a tattered old recipe card, yellowed with age and stained with splatters of batter. "This is the recipe that has been passed down through our family for generations," she said. "I hope you will cherish it as much as I do."

I thanked Aunt Martha profusely and promised to keep the recipe safe. Little did I know at the time just how much this simple piece of paper would come to mean to me in the years to come.

When I returned home from my visit with Aunt Martha, I wasted no time in trying out the recipe for Christmas Hermits. I gathered all the ingredients listed on the card – flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, raisins, nuts, and spices – and set to work in my own kitchen.

As I mixed and stirred, the familiar scents of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the air, transporting me back to Aunt Martha's kitchen. I carefully shaped the dough into small balls, just as she had shown me, and placed them on a baking sheet.

The cookies emerged from the oven, perfectly golden and fragrant, just like Aunt Martha's. I couldn't resist sampling one while it was still warm, and the taste brought tears to my eyes. It was like a piece of my childhood had been preserved in that simple cookie.

From that day on, Christmas Hermits became a staple in my holiday baking repertoire. I would make them every year, sharing them with friends and family who marveled at their unique flavor and texture. And with each batch I made, I would think of Aunt Martha and the special bond we shared over our love of baking.

Over the years, I have added my own twists and variations to the traditional recipe for Christmas Hermits. I have experimented with different types of nuts and dried fruits, and even added a splash of rum for a festive touch. But no matter how I choose to make them, the cookies always bring me back to that moment in Aunt Martha's kitchen, learning a family recipe that would become a cherished tradition in my own home.

As I sit here now, with my own grandchildren gathered around me, I can't help but smile as I pass down the recipe for Christmas Hermits to the next generation. I watch as they mix and shape the dough, their faces filled with wonder and delight. And I know that Aunt Martha would be proud to see her legacy of love and baking living on in our family.

So as we gather together this Christmas season, surrounded by the warmth and joy of the holiday spirit, I am grateful for the simple pleasures of a batch of Christmas Hermits baking in the oven. And I am reminded once again of the power of a shared recipe to bring us closer together, across generations and miles, in a celebration of love and tradition.