Preheat oven to 375°
Soak the 1 cup of raisins in boiling water
Cream 1 stick softened butter, 1 ¼ cups sugar, and ¼ cup molasses together in a mixer
Add the 2 eggs and blend until combined
In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture at a low speed
Drain the raisins, pat dry, and add the chopped walnuts (if using) and the raisins to the hermit batter
Stir to combine
On a floured towel, cut the batter into 4 sections and roll 1 section at a time like a sausage on the towel
Place the hermit bar logs onto a greased cookie sheet or jelly roll pan, flatten the logs slightly with your hand
Brush tops with a beaten egg
Bake at 375° for 15 minutes
Let cool on pan & slice diagonally
