Hermits

Hermits
MAKES ABOUT 6 DOZEN COOKIES

Hermits are a spicy, chewy, old-fashioned drop cookie with raisins
and nuts. Many old recipes call for sour cream in the cookies, and
Southern recipes often include molasses. The choice of nuts depended
on what was available. It could be that the name "hermit" comes from
the fact that the cookies improve after being stored away by themselves
in an airtight container for a few days.

1 cup butter or vegetable shortening, at room temperature
2 cups tightly packed light or dark brown sugar
1 tgg
l/2 cup sour cream, or 1A cup sour cream and 1A cup molasses
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
l/2 teaspoon salt
l/2 teaspoon ground cloves
l/2 teaspoon allspice
2 cups light or dark raisins or chopped dates
11/2 cups chopped walnuts, pecans, fllberts, or almonds

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter or shortening with the
sugar, egg, and sour cream (and molasses, if used); beat until creamy.
In another bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda,
salt, cloves, and allspice. Blend the dry ingredients into the creamed
mixture thoroughly. Add the raisins or dates and nuts. Chill 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Drop
rounded teaspoons of the dough on the cookie sheets, 2 inches apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until just set. Do not overbake. Cool on racks,
then store in airtight containers.