Cherry Allspice Hermits

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1½ cups packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

½ cup buttermilk

1 cup molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon allspice

2 cups dried cherries

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, brown sugar and salt until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the buttermilk and molasses, followed by the flour, baking soda, baking powder and allspice. Beat together just until well combined. Stir in the cherries.

Scoop the dough by the tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between the cookies. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until beginning to brown around the edges and no longer glossy.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the pan before moving to a rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Makes three dozen.

Nutrition values per cookie: 160 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated), 32 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 2 g protein, 15 mg cholesterol, 100 mg sodium.