Ginger Hermits

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 3/4 cup baking raisins

Directions

1.  Heat the oven to 325°F.  Cover a 15 x 20-inch sheet pan with parchment paper.  (Or use two smaller sheet pans.)  Set aside.

2.  In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.  Set aside.

3.  In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening and sugar.  Add the egg and molasses and mix on low speed until combined.  Add the flour mixture on low speed and mix in the raisins.

4.  Using 1/2 cup of dough, roll into a 7-inch log.  Make 6 logs and place them on the cookie sheet 2 - 3 inches apart.  (They will spread a lot when they bake.)

5.  Bake for 20 - 22 minutes.  The centers will be very soft but will firm up as they cool.  Do not overcook or they will be crunchy, not chewey.

6.  Cool for 5 minutes on the sheet pan.  Then transfer to a wire rack.  When completely cooled, cut each piece into 3 bars.

Makes 18 bars