Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to show you how to make hermit cake, a delicious and healthy dessert that is perfect for any occasion.
Hermit cake is a type of spice cake that is moist, chewy, and loaded with dried fruits and nuts. It originated in New England in the 19th century, and was named after the hermits who lived in isolation and baked these cakes with simple ingredients. Hermit cake is easy to make, and can be stored for a long time without losing its flavor or texture.
What You Need to Make Hermit Cake
Ingredients
To make hermit cake, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 g) of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) of brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) of molasses
- 2 cups (240 g) of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1 cup (150 g) of raisins
- 1/2 cup (75 g) of chopped walnuts or pecans
Equipment
To make hermit cake, you will need the following equipment:
- A 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking pan
- A large mixing bowl
- An electric mixer or a wooden spoon
- A small bowl
- A whisk or a fork
- A spatula
- A wire rack
- A knife or a pizza cutter
How to Make Hermit Cake: Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven and grease the pan
The first step to make hermit cake is to preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease the baking pan with some butter or cooking spray. This will prevent the cake from sticking to the pan and make it easier to cut and serve.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar
The next step to make hermit cake is to cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. You can use an electric mixer or a wooden spoon for this task. Creaming means beating the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. This will help the cake rise and have a tender crumb.
Step 3: Add the eggs and molasses
The third step to make hermit cake is to add the eggs and molasses to the butter and sugar mixture. You can use a whisk or a fork to lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl before adding them. Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is made from sugarcane or sugar beet juice. It adds moisture, color, and flavor to the cake. You can use light or dark molasses, depending on your preference.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients
The fourth step to make hermit cake is to add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. You can use a spatula or a wooden spoon to gently fold them together. The dry ingredients are flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cake rise and have a soft texture. Salt enhances the flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness. The spices are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. They give the cake a warm and aromatic taste.
Step 5: Stir in the raisins and nuts
The fifth step to make hermit cake is to stir in the raisins and nuts. You can use any kind of dried fruits and nuts that you like, such as cranberries, cherries, apricots, dates, almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts. They add texture, sweetness, and crunch to the cake.
Step 6: Spread the batter in the pan and bake
The sixth step to make hermit cake is to spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. You can use a spatula or a knife to smooth the surface. Then, bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The cake should be golden brown and springy to the touch.
Step 7: Cool and cut the cake
The final step to make hermit cake is to cool and cut the cake. You can use a wire rack to cool the cake completely in the pan, or transfer it to a cutting board after 10 minutes. Then, use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the cake into squares or bars. You can enjoy them as they are, or drizzle some icing or glaze on top for extra sweetness.
Hermit Cake Nutrition Facts
Hermit cake is a delicious and healthy dessert that is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber, iron, and calcium. Here is a table that shows the nutrition facts of one serving of hermit cake (one square or bar), based on the ingredients and amounts used in this recipe:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 198 | 10% |
| Fat | 7.8 g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g | 19% |
| Cholesterol | 36 mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 153 mg | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 30.4 g | 10% |
| Fiber | 1.2 g | 5% |
| Sugar | 17.9 g | – |
| Protein | 3.1 g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 4% | – |
| Vitamin C | 1% | – |
| Calcium | 4% | – |
| Iron | – | |
| Potassium | 5% | – |