Down East Hermits

A delicious Maine Hermit recipe that I have been making for years. Moist and just the right mixture of spices and raisins. Great with coffee and for dunking! You might be thinking--Where is down east? To Mainers, down east is down in the most eastern part of Maine. To others in the country, down east IS Maine.

• Ready In: 1 hr 45 mins
• Yields: 6 dozen

Ingredients

• 1  cup  soft shortening
• 2  cups brown sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup  cold brewed coffee
• 3 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1  teaspoon nutmeg
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 1⁄2 cups raisins
• 1 1⁄4 cups  chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Mix together thoroughly--shortening, brown sugar, and eggs.
2. Blend in the cold coffee.
3. Mix in the flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
4. Add in the raisins and walnuts--mix well.
5. Chill 1 hour.
6. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
7. Bake at 400 degrees for about 8-10 minutes or until set--just until when touched lightly with fingertip, almost no print remains.
8. Do not overbake.