Hermit Bars

Hermit Bars are a classic New England spice cookie, typically made with molasses, brown sugar, and a blend of warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, often studded with raisins or nuts. They are known for their chewy texture and are a staple in American home baking, especially during the fall and holiday seasons.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

These bars are generally high in carbohydrates and fats from sugar, molasses, and butter, providing a quick energy boost but little protein. A typical serving contains around 200-300 calories, with notable amounts of iron and some dietary fiber from the raisins and whole grains.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	220 kcal
Protein	3 g
Carbs	30 g
Fat	10 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	18 g
Sodium	120 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Calcium	30 mg
Potassium	100 mg
Magnesium	20 mg
Phosphorus	50 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg
Folate	15 µg
Manganese	0.3 mg

Per 1 bar (about 50 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

The name 'Hermit' is thought to refer to the cookies' long shelf life, as they were historically baked to last for weeks without spoiling, much like a hermit's solitary, self-sufficient lifestyle. Nutritionally, the molasses adds a unique depth of flavor and contributes minerals like iron and potassium, which are less common in typical cookies.