Ina Garten’s Cozy Spicy Hermit Bars Recipe: A Sweet Treasure

Spicy hermit bars burst with warm, nostalgic flavors that transport you straight to grandma’s cozy kitchen.

These delectable treats weave together rich, aromatic spices that dance across your palate with incredible depth.

Ancient baking traditions inspire this classic cookie, blending rustic charm with complex taste profiles.

Sweet molasses and robust spices create a harmonious symphony of comfort and indulgence.

Chewy textures mingle with subtle heat, promising a memorable culinary experience that lingers delightfully.

Perfectly balanced ingredients transform simple pantry staples into an extraordinary dessert that feels both familiar and exciting.

Your taste buds will absolutely adore these irresistible, soul-warming bars: come and savor the magic!

Why Hermit Bars Are a Spiced Sensation

• Burst with Spicy-Sweet Flavor Sensation: These hermit bars deliver an incredible taste explosion combining warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with sweet molasses and crystallized ginger, creating a complex and deeply satisfying flavor profile.
• Incredibly Simple Baking Method: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, with straightforward mixing and rolling techniques that even novice bakers can master quickly, making delightful homemade treats accessible to everyone.
• Perfect Holiday Comfort Treat: Packed with traditional winter spices and a rum glaze, these bars capture the cozy essence of holiday baking, offering a nostalgic and comforting dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite.
• Versatile Make-Ahead Dessert: The dough can be prepared in advance and chilled, allowing busy home bakers to prep ahead and enjoy fresh, delicious bars with minimal last-minute effort, making it ideal for gatherings and spontaneous sweet cravings.

What You’ll Need for That Chewy Crunch

• Brown Sugar: Rich sweetness that adds deep caramel undertones and helps create soft texture.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates tender, moist cookie bars.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the bars.
• Molasses: Brings deep, robust sweetness and enhances spice flavors.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structure for the hermit bars with classic baking foundation.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves: Warm spice blend creating classic hermit bar character.
• Baking Soda: Helps bars rise and creates soft, tender texture.

• Crystallized Ginger: Adds extra spicy, sweet crunch with intense ginger flavor.
• Raisins: Provides chewy sweetness and traditional hermit bar texture.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze for finishing.
• Rum: Adds depth and complexity to the glaze.
• Lemon Zest: Brightens flavor and adds fresh citrus note to the bars.

Bake Spicy Bars with Old-School Charm

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Ensure oven rack is in the center position.

Step 2: Create Creamy Sugar Base

In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, blend brown sugar and butter for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down mixer sides to ensure even mixing.

Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Mix in egg and molasses on low speed. Blend carefully until ingredients are fully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Combine Dry Spice Mixture

• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Baking soda

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add dry spice mixture to butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Crystallized ginger
• Raisins

Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up dough.

Step 7: Shape Dough Logs

On a lightly floured surface, divide dough into two equal portions. Roll each portion into a 12-inch log shape.

Step 8: Bake Hermit Logs

Place logs on prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Logs should remain slightly soft in the center.

Step 9: Create Rum Glaze

Whisk confectioners’ sugar with rum until smooth and pourable.

Step 10: Finish and Serve

While logs are warm, drizzle rum glaze across the top. Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest. Allow to cool completely. Slice into 1½-inch wide bars.

Tips to Balance Clove, Nutmeg, and Molasses

• Prep Like a Pro: Letting butter and egg sit at room temperature helps them blend smoothly, creating a more uniform and tender bar texture.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies.
• Spice Sensitivity: Start with the recommended spice amount, then adjust to your taste preference in future batches for a personalized flavor profile.
• Texture Tricks: Pull the bars from the oven when they're slightly soft in the center to maintain a delightfully chewy, moist consistency.
• Mix-In Magic: Experiment with chopped walnuts or pecans to add a delightful crunch and extra layer of flavor to these classic hermit bars.

Store Your Bars for Chewy Bliss Tomorrow

• Freezer Method: Seal hermit bars in an airtight freezer-safe container or wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer bag. Freeze flat to maintain shape and prevent crumbling. Mark the date to track storage time. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor preservation.
• Refrigerator Method: Store bars in a tight-sealing container with a layer of parchment paper between each bar to prevent sticking. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to maintain the spicy hermit bars' delicate flavor profile. Consume within 7 days for optimal freshness and taste.
• Counter Method: Place bars in a breathable container with a loose-fitting lid to prevent moisture buildup. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Consume within 2-3 days for maximum flavor and texture quality.

Try Raisins, Ginger, or Chocolate Mix-ins

• Tropical Rum Splash: Replace crystallized ginger with dried pineapple chunks and add toasted coconut flakes for a Caribbean-inspired version.
• Nutty Chocolate Companion: Fold dark chocolate chips and chopped pecans into the dough for a rich, crunchy alternative that enhances the original spice profile.
• Autumn Harvest Blend: Incorporate diced dried apples and swap some molasses with apple butter to create a warm, seasonal interpretation of the classic hermit bars.
• Citrus Spice Infusion: Add orange zest to the dough and replace rum glaze with an orange-flavored confectioners' sugar drizzle for a bright, zesty flavor dimension.

Hermit Bars with a Warm Goodbye

Spicy Hermit Bars bring warmth and nostalgia from Ina Garten’s kitchen, weaving classic holiday memories with modern baking flair.

Ginger, molasses, and rum create a symphony of flavors that dance across palate expectations.

Crystallized ginger adds unexpected sparkle to these rustic treats, elevating traditional bakery boundaries.

Homemade glaze transforms simple logs into elegant dessert pieces with sophisticated charm.

Delicate spices whisper stories of comfort and connection through each carefully crafted bar.

Keen bakers, share these delightful treats, spread joy through social media, and let culinary passion inspire fellow enthusiasts to explore sweet possibilities.

Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Spicy Hermit Bars bring classic New England comfort with a zesty twist. Warm spices and rich molasses create a memorable cookie experience that connects generations of home bakers with delightful, nostalgic flavors.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 extra-large egg, at room temperature
• ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar, lightly packed

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1½ teaspoons ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
• ½ cup golden raisins
• ⅓ cup minced crystallized ginger (not in syrup)
• 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
• Grated lemon zest
• Dark rum, such as Mount Gay

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream brown sugar and butter for 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the egg and molasses on low speed, periodically scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even incorporation.
4. In a separate large bowl, sift together flour, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, and baking soda until well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated.
6. Fold in the crystallized ginger and raisins, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the dough to firm up.
8. Transfer the chilled dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal portions.
9. Shape each portion into a 12-inch long log, placing them on the prepared baking sheet with sufficient spacing.
10. Bake for 20 minutes, noting that the logs will remain soft in the center.
11. Prepare the glaze by whisking together confectioners’ sugar and rum until smooth and pourable.
12. While the logs are still warm, drizzle the glaze back and forth using a teaspoon, then sprinkle with fresh lemon zest.
13. Allow the logs to cool completely before slicing crosswise into 1½-inch wide bars.

Notes

• Let the butter soften naturally on the counter to blend seamlessly with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform texture.
• Refrigerate the prepared dough for at least 30 minutes, allowing the fats to solidify and prevent spreading during baking.
• Pull the bars from the oven when centers remain slightly soft, as they’ll continue cooking from residual heat.
• Experiment with warming spices like cinnamon or cardamom to personalize the flavor profile and surprise your taste buds.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping the bars moist and delicious.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 200 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg