Gingerbread Hermits

Made since medieval times, gingerbread appeared in two main forms: as soft cake and as crisp or chewy cookies. Most ginger cookies are made by cutting a sheet of dough into rounds, strips or other shapes, including gingerbread men. Hermits, a gingerbread relative, are one of the best-loved old cookie varieties. These oversized ginger bar cookies are from my friend Mary Codola in Rhode Island.