• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
Cookie Madness
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
×
Home » Vegan Recipes

Lunchbox Hermits aka Coffee Shop Hermits

Last updated on October 18, 2021 By Anna 11 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

Inspired by the deliciousness of Vegan Gingerbread Biscotti, I also tried the Coffee Shop Hermits from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treat.

Coffee Shop Hermits are vegan hermit cookies.

Coffee Shop Hermits

The Coffee Shop Hermits, which I am calling Lunchbox Hermits, are as good as the Gingerbread Biscotti.  They're firm and chewy rather than hard, and a little more kid-friendly -- so much so that I stuck half of one in Fuzzy's lunch box. I was out of raisins and used cranberries and candied ginger, but other than that and halving the recipe, I followed the directions as written and was pleased with the results.

I definitely recommend these. Because of all the flavor from the spices, you won't miss the eggs and butter found in other spice bars. Plus the coffee is an interesting touch. You can use any brewed coffee and I suspect the stronger the better, but even a light roast coffee works beautifully here.  If you don't use coffee, you could probably get away with using boiling water, but I think the coffee adds a subtle background flavor.

And finally, Lunchbox Hermits stay fresh for days!  We enjoyed having them around so much that we were disappointed when the last one disappeared.  I'll definitely be making these again every year.

  • Small Batch Hermit Bars
  • Hermit Bars
  • Vanilla Bake Shop Review Plus Chocolate Chiffon Cupcakes
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies Like Tate's Bake Shop
  • Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Recipe

Hermits

Lunchbox Hermit

My version of the Coffeeshop Hermits from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
35 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Cookies
Cuisine Amercan
Servings 16

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup coffee strong, black & cooled to room temp
  • ⅓ cup molasses
  • ⅔ cup sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper plus a pinch more if you like heat
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup dried cranberries plus 2 tablespoons or to taste of chopped candied ginger
  • Some sparkly sugar or regular for sprinkling on top

Instructions
 

  • Mix the oil, coffee, molasses and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cayenne. Stir well. Stir in the cranberries and candied ginger to form a soft dough.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • After dough is chilled lightly moisten hands and divide dough in half. Make it into two logs about 13 inches long and 3 ½ inches wide. Sprinkle the tops with sugar.
  • Bake 24 to 26 minutes till edges are lightly browned and the logs feel firm. Cool for 15 minutes (I didn’t). Cut the logs into approximately 2 inch slices (or however you like them). Cool on wire racks.
  • Makes 16 large cookies
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Vegan Recipes Archive

  • roasted-strawberry-coconut-milk-ice-cream
    Roasted Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream
  • Vegan Biscotti
    Easy Vegan Biscotti Recipe
  • Coconut Almond Banana Cookies
    Coconut Almond Banana Cookies
  • vegan oatmeal chocolate chip
    Vegan Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Reader Interactions

Comments

    I love hearing from other bakers and appreciate helpful comments. Rude ones will be deleted immediately.

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *






  1. May Cookie Co.

    January 17, 2011 at 9:09 am

    I love chewy hermits, can’t wait to try them with the ginger and maybe some chopped almonds.

  2. Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie

    January 12, 2011 at 7:08 am

    I have never heard of hermits but they sound good! Do these cookies keep well?

  3. Jennifer

    January 12, 2011 at 7:05 am

    I love hermits and can't wait to try your recipe!

  4. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit

    January 11, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    I love hermits- they're one of my favorite cookies. Yours sound yummy!

  5. Esther

    January 11, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    This is the first time I ever heard of a "hermit" too. What an interesting name. I didn't know biscotti could last that long, mine only lasts 2 days before going soft. I have to try that recipe one day.

  6. vanillasugar

    January 11, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    it has been months since i've had a hermit. i tried the ones by Paul Newmans; they weren't that bad really. the low fat ones were not that great though.

  7. Upstate NY Native

    January 11, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    I used to be so excited the few times a year we'd go to the A&P (my Dad had a grocery store) and get packaged Hermits and Spanish Bar cake. Loved,Loved,Loved them both! Thanks for the recipe, the reminder and the memory.

  8. Jennifer

    January 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Okay, I feel stupid, but what is a "hermit" (other than a possible career goal for my teenage son?)

  9. Katrina

    January 11, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I tried the ones you posted a few years ago. They remind me of a grocery store bakery from YEARS ago, can't even recall which. But I'm sure I'll try this recipe. I really like them!

  10. Judy

    January 11, 2011 at 11:43 am

    I have very warm memories of getting hermits at a Rhode Island bakery when I would visit my Grandparents for Christmas vacation back in the early '70s! Thanks for the recipe.

  11. Caroline

    January 11, 2011 at 8:29 am

    These might be a good way to use up the leftover candied ginger that I have in my pantry. I never knew how hermit bars were different than biscotti, so thanks for pointing that out!

Primary Sidebar

Footer

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure

Newsletter

Subscribe Page

Contact

  • Contact

Cookie Madness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

© All rights reserved. Do not copy, distribute, or reproduce without permission.