Step 1

- PREHEAT OVEN TO 375°

Step 3

-Soak the 1 cup of raisins in boiling water.

Step 5

-Cream 1 stick softened butter, 1¼ cups sugar, and ¼ cup molasses together in a mixer. Add the 2 eggs. Blend until combined.

Step 7

-In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.

Step 9

-Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture at a low speed.

Step 11

-Drain the raisins. Pat dry.

Step 13

-Add the chopped walnuts (if using) and the raisins to the hermit batter. Stir to combine.

Step 15

-On a floured towel, cut the batter into 4 sections.

Step 17

-Roll 1 section at a time like a sausage on the towel.

Step 19

-Place the hermit bar logs onto a greased cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. I use silicone baking mats

Step 21

-Flatten the logs slightly with your hand.

Step 23

-Brush tops with a beaten egg.

Step 25

BAKE AT 375° FOR 15 MINUTES

Step 27

Let bars cool before cutting them diagonally into bars.

Step 29

I find that using a dough scraper works great to cut the bars!

Step 31

Store the New England hermit bars in an airtight container. They do stay fresh for a long time!!