Hermit Bars

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup raisins or currants
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
2. In a bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
3. In another bowl with an electric mixer cream the butter with the brown sugar, beat in the egg, and beat in the molasses.
4. Add the flour mixture, beating the mixture until it is just combined, and stir in the raisins and walnuts.
5. Spread the mixture in prepared baking pan.
6. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a tester comes clean.
7. Let the mixture cool completely in the pan on a rack, then cut it into 24 bars.