Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 375°F/190°C.
2. 2
   Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
3. 3
   In a large bowl, stir together flour, raisins, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, and salt until well combined; watch the brown sugar to ensure that it doesn't clump—it will want to do so and brown sugar clumps coated in flour look a lot like raisins coated in flour.
4. 4
   Stir in molasses, butter, vanilla, and egg until fully integrated. Shape the dough in two strips (approximately ) separated by at least on the sheet pan.
5. 5
   Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the strips comes out dry.
6. 6
   Allow to cool slightly then remove the hermits (on their parchment) to cooling racks to cool completely; be sure the bottoms have cooled (just reach under and feel—if its more than a little warmer than room temperature its not there yet).
7. 7
   Move the hermits (still on their parchment) to a counter for portioning and removal from parchment. Cut hermits into wide strips (a pizza cutter should work well) then carefully scrape them away from the parchment with a good thin spatula.
8. 8
   Enjoy with a glass of milk or a nice cup of tea.