Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars Recipe

This Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars recipe is a warmly spiced and chewy treat, which includes molasses and brown sugar. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about 40 minutes.

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Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates (optional)

How To Make Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in nuts and raisins if using.
5. Bake the bars: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and slice: Let the bars cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use dark molasses?
  Yes, but expect a stronger, richer flavor.
• How to keep bars moist:
  Don’t overbake and store in an airtight container.
• Can I skip the nuts and raisins?
  Yes, the bars are still flavorful without them.
• Can I freeze these bars?
  Yes, they freeze well. Wrap tightly and store for up to 2 months.
• How to make it spicier:
  Add a pinch of black pepper or a dash more ginger.

What To Serve With Hermit Bars

These bars are great as a snack or dessert with:

• A cup of chai or black tea
• Hot apple cider
• Vanilla ice cream
• A drizzle of caramel sauce
• Fresh whipped cream

How To Store Hermit Bars

Room Temperature:
Keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze:
Wrap individual bars and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Spicy Hermit Bars Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~210
• Carbohydrates: ~30g
• Protein: ~2g
• Fat: ~10g
• Sugar: ~18g
• Fiber: ~1g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What are hermit bars?
They’re soft, chewy spice bars made with molasses and warm spices.

Why are they called “hermit” bars?
The name likely comes from their ability to stay fresh for days—like a hermit in solitude.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a 9×13-inch pan and bake a few minutes longer.

Do I need to sift the flour?
Not necessary—just whisking the dry ingredients is enough.

How do I keep the bars from sticking?
Use parchment paper or grease the pan well.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Old Fashioned Banana Cake Recipe
• Ina Garten Banana Cake Recipe
• Ina Garten Chocolate Mousse Cake Recipe