Old-Fashioned Hermit Cookies

Old-Fashioned Hermit Cookies
Makes 24

Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened – stock
2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed – stock
1 egg, lightly beaten – stock
¼ cup unsulphured molasses – $3.19
1¾ cups all-purpose flour – stock
½ teaspoon baking powder – stock
½ teaspoon baking soda – stock
½ teaspoon salt – stock
2 teaspoons ground ginger – stock
1 teaspoon cinnamon – stock
½ teaspoon nutmeg – stock
¼ teaspoon ground cloves – stock
¾ cup currants – $2.69
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional) – $1.29
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $7.17
Total Per Cookie: $0.30

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a 9 x 13 baking pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper and butter or spray the paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a mixer, cream the butter with the brown sugar. Add the egg, beating well. Pour in the molasses, mixing well to combine.

4. On the lowest speed of the mixer, gradually add the flour/spice mixture until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the currants and nuts.

5. Spread evenly over the prepared pan. As the mixture is so thick, use 2 rubber spatulas in opposing positions to spread evenly.

6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

7. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 24 squares and store in a sealed container for up to 6 days.