Quick Spicy Hermit Bars Recipe: Ina Garten’s Charming Treat

Baking enthusiasts adore these spicy hermit bars that bring a delightful warmth to Ina Garten’s classic dessert repertoire.

Packed with rich molasses and warming spices, these bars offer a comforting twist on traditional treats.

The recipe blends sweet and spicy notes that dance across your palate with every bite.

Aromatic cinnamon, ginger, and cloves mingle seamlessly with chewy dried fruit and a tender, cake-like texture.

Dark molasses provides a deep, complex undertone that sets these bars apart from ordinary bakery offerings.

Each bar promises a rustic charm that transports you to a cozy kitchen filled with nostalgic aromas.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible spiced delights that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

List of Ingredients for Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

• Brown Sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and helps create a moist, tender texture with rich molasses undertones.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates a smooth, glossy glaze that adds a delicate sweetness and professional finish.
• Molasses: Delivers intense, robust flavor and helps maintain the bars' soft, chewy consistency.

• Ground Ginger: Provides warm, zesty kick with subtle heat that enhances the cookie's complex flavor profile.
• Cinnamon: Adds comforting warmth and aromatic depth to the hermit bars.
• Cloves: Contributes a bold, slightly pungent spice that elevates the overall taste experience.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors, creating a more rounded taste.
• Baking Soda: Ensures proper rising and helps achieve a soft, tender texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the fundamental structure of the bars, providing the perfect crumbly base.

• Crystallized Ginger: Introduces a spicy-sweet crunch with an intense ginger flavor.
• Raisins: Adds natural sweetness and chewy texture to complement the spices.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and contributes to the bars' rich, tender consistency.
• Butter: Creates a luxurious, smooth base with rich, creamy flavor.
• Rum: Brings subtle depth and sophistication to the glaze.
• Lemon Zest: Offers bright, citrusy notes that cut through the richness and add freshness.

What You Need to Bake Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to create a light, fluffy base.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and mixing the dough.
• Sheet Pan: Needed for baking the hermit bar logs.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Sifter or Fine-Mesh Strainer: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients.
• Plastic Wrap: Keeps dough fresh while chilling.
• Teaspoon: Used for spreading glaze and measuring.
• Sharp Knife: Required for slicing logs into bars.
• Cutting Board or Lightly Floured Surface: Provides space for shaping and rolling dough.

How to Prepare Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

• Oven Preparation

Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a smooth surface for your delicious hermit bars.

• Sugar And Butter Blend

Whip brown sugar and butter together until they become a fluffy, creamy mixture that promises rich flavor.

• Wet Ingredients Harmony

Gently incorporate egg and molasses into the creamy base, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture.

• Spice Symphony

Combine all dry spices in a bowl, creating a fragrant mix that will infuse the bars with warm, comforting notes.

• Dough Formation

Slowly mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding in crystallized ginger and raisins for bursts of exciting flavor.

• Chilling Pause

Rest the dough in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.

• Shaping Adventure

Divide the dough into two logs on the prepared baking sheet, creating the classic hermit bar shape.

• Baking Magic

Bake until the edges are golden and the center remains slightly soft, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Elegant Finishing

Drizzle a rum-infused glaze over the warm bars and sprinkle with bright lemon zest for a sophisticated touch.

• Serving Delight

Once cooled, slice the bars into perfect portions ready to be enjoyed with coffee or tea.

Add Variety to Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

• Expert Tips for Hermit Bars
• Experiment with ground cardamom or nutmeg to enhance the warming flavor profile of these classic hermit bars.
• Wrap the unbaked dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking for maximum convenience.
• Soak raisins in hot rum or apple juice for 15 minutes before adding to the dough to create plumper, more flavorful dried fruit pieces.
• Replace rum with orange juice or maple syrup for a kid-friendly version that still delivers delicious moisture and sweet complexity.
• Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation, separating layers with parchment paper.

Serving Up Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars Anytime

• Serve with Festive Warmth: Pair these spicy hermit bars with a steaming mug of chai tea or mulled wine for a cozy winter afternoon treat.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Arrange bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh lemon wedges and a dusting of powdered sugar to create an elegant holiday dessert display.
• Perfect Party Snack: Pack these bars in cute gift boxes or wrap individually for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as thoughtful homemade gifts for friends and family.
• Breakfast Companion: Enjoy these bars alongside a rich cappuccino or morning coffee for a delightful sweet start to your day.

Storage Method for Ina Garten Spicy Hermit Bars

• Maximize Freshness: Store hermit bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and chewy.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag to maintain quality for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Mix dough up to 2 days before baking and refrigerate. This technique deepens flavors and makes baking more convenient.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve bars slightly warm with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat. Stack in a decorative tin for gifting or entertaining.

Cozy Spicy Hermit Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Hermit bars invite warm spice lovers into a comforting New England classic that balances molasses depth with zesty ginger and cinnamon notes. Sweet, chewy squares promise delightful moments when shared with cherished companions.

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Ingredients

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• 1 extra-large egg (room temperature)
• ¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 cups plus 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 cup light or dark brown sugar (lightly packed)
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1.5 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1.5 tsps ground cloves
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
• ½ cup golden raisins
• ⅓ cup minced crystallized ginger (not in syrup)
• 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
• Lemon zest
• Dark rum (such as Mount Gay)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Creaming: Blend brown sugar and butter using electric mixer with paddle attachment until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Incorporate egg and molasses on low speed, scraping bowl sides to ensure uniform mixture.
4. Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, and baking soda together in a separate bowl.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually merge dry ingredients into butter mixture on low speed until just combined, then gently fold in crystallized ginger and raisins.
6. Chilling: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to enhance texture and firmness.
7. Shaping: On floured surface, divide chilled dough into two equal logs, approximately 12 inches long, and place on prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
8. Baking: Roast logs for 20 minutes, understanding they will remain soft in the center.
9. Glazing: Whisk confectioners’ sugar and rum into smooth, pourable glaze.
10. Finishing: While logs are warm, drizzle glaze diagonally and sprinkle with fresh lemon zest, then cool completely before slicing into 1½-inch bars.

Notes

• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes helps prevent spreading and creates a more cohesive texture, ensuring perfectly shaped hermit bars.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Mix dry ingredients slowly and minimally to prevent tough, dense bars – just combine until ingredients are incorporated.
• Spacing is Key: Leave enough room between logs on the baking sheet to allow even baking and prevent potential merging during the baking process.
• Glaze While Warm: Apply the rum glaze immediately after baking while logs are still warm to help the glaze absorb and create a smooth, glossy finish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 160 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg