Gingerbread Hermits

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 4 large eggs
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted (or pecans)

Directions

1. 1

   Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour 3 pieces aluminum foil to fit baking sheets.

2. 2

   Using electric mixer, beat butter at medium speed until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat until light, about 3 minutes. Beat in 3 eggs, one at a time. Add molasses and beat until smooth.

3. 3

   Sift flour, baking powder and soda, spices, and salt together. Add to butter mixture and mix just until blended. Stir in chopped ginger, the raisins, and nuts.

4. 4

   Using fingers, shape dough into 6 logs about 1 inch high and 1-1/2 inches wide, 2 on each piece of foil. Dough spreads when baked, so space logs well apart. Lightly beat remaining egg and brush over logs.

5. 5

   Bake on baking sheets on center rack of oven until golden but still quite soft, 10-14 minutes. Let cool completely on foil on wire racks. Cut logs crosswise into 2-inch-wide bars. Store in airtight containers.