DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m wondering if you or someone in Sun Spots Land would have a recipe for Hermit cookies or bars? I have looked through all my mom’s cookbooks and can’t find a recipe. I know she had one because she used to make them all the time. Thank you for all your help. — No name, Lewiston
ANSWER: Perhaps your mom knew that recipe by heart and never wrote it down. And I can certainly relate when I know I have a recipe for something and can’t find it. It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack! One of these days, I shall become more organized.
Hermits always make me think of a dear friend of mine who made them often in her Bowdoinham kitchen. Here is the recipe I use from “Cooking Down East” by Marjorie Standish, but I would love to have others to try and I’m sure Sun Spots readers would like options, too. These cookies are such a Maine thing.
Old-fashioned Hermits: Cream 1/2 cup softened butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla then gradually beat in 1 cup sugar. Beat in 1 egg until mixture is light and creamy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, and 1/4 teaspoon each ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients alternately with 1/2 cup milk to the creamed mixture. Add 1 cup chopped raisins.
I just pile them on to a cutting board and chop them roughly with a chef’s knife — just be careful!
Drop the batter by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet or line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. This recipe makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thank you so much for posting the ELHS Class of ’61 reunion notice (July 13 Sun Spots) so quickly. It was indeed crunch time and we appreciate the promptness of getting out the word! We thank you for the suggestions of also including missing classmates, etc., but because of the short time involved, it was not feasible to do it.
Sun Spots is a gem in the Sun Journal. I always enjoy reading the questions posed and the answers, the announcements, and the comments. Thanks again. — Nancy, no town
ANSWER: Thank you! I’m happy to oblige. Just always keep in mind that I need to work ahead because I have a deadline so ideally, when you have a Sun Spots item that’s date-sensitive, add in an extra week so that I can get your requests and announcements in the column on time. I really dislike disappointing people so please plan accordingly.
In case anyone from the Edward Little High School Class of ’61 missed it, alum will hold their 60-year reunion at Lost Valley on Aug. 7 from 12 to 3:30 p.m. with a barbeque and time for reminiscing. Tickets are $15 . Contact Nancy Mahar at bnmahar@aol.com for more details.
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