Woodrow Wilson Hermits

This was a favorite when comparing to other recipes!
– Jeanne 

Ingredients

• ½ cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon soda dissolved in ½ cup lukewarm coffee or water
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup seedless raisins
• ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), optional
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F..
2. In a large bowl cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. 
3. Beat in molasses and egg, then soda which has been dissolved in warm liquid. 
4. Sift together flour, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, then add to the creamed mixture, mixing well. 
5. Stir in raisins and chopped nuts, if desired.
6. Drop batter by teaspoons on lightly greased cookie sheet or spread in a greased and floured 13x9x2 inch baking pan.  For thinner hermits, spread in a greased and floured 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan. 
7. For the individual cookies bake for 12-15 minutes. For the bars bake for 25-30 minutes or until no imprint remains when lightly touched.  Do not over bake.  Makes 2-3 dozen cookies or bars.