Chocolate Chip Hermit Bars

The orange zest pairs very nicely with chocolate in these easy-to-make cookie bars. Not too sweet, they are great with a cup of coffee!

Makes about 16 cookie bars.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c softened butter
• 1/4 c dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 c molasses
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 c all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp barley malt powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• zest of 1 medium orange
• 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chipe

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place butter and brown sugar in bowl of stand mixer; beat until creamed.
3. Add molasses and egg and continue mixing until well blended.
4. In a large bowl, blend flour, salt, spices, malt powder, and baking soda.
5. Add dry ingredients to stand mixer bowl and mix on low a minute or two.
6. Remove bowl from mixer and add orange zest and chocolate chips. Fold them in by hand until evenly distributed.
7. Divide dough into 4 equal dough balls. On a dry work surface, press each dough ball into a roughly shaped 2″ x 6″ log.
8. Place each log on the parchment lined baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Press them down slightly to flatten them.
9. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with only a couple crumbs.
10. Cool in pan 10 minutes, before slicing each log into 4 hermit bars. Transfer them to a wire rack and cool completely before serving.