Save to Pinterest Rich, spiced gingerbread bars layered with a buttery crumble and finished with a tangy lemon glaze, offering a festive treat perfect for any season.
I first made these bars for a holiday gathering and they disappeared fast. The combination of gingerbread and lemon always reminds me of festive family afternoons.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Light brown sugar, packed: 1 cup (200 g)
- Ground ginger: 2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/4 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted: 3/4 cup (170 g)
- Unsulphured molasses: 1/3 cup (80 ml)
- Large egg: 1
- Powdered sugar, sifted: 1 cup (120 g)
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: 2 tbsp
- Finely grated lemon zest: 1 tsp
Instructions
- Prepare the pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- Make gingerbread base:
- Whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Stir in melted butter, molasses, and egg until a thick, crumbly dough forms.
- Form base and crumble:
- Reserve 3/4 cup of dough for topping. Press remaining dough into prepared pan. Sprinkle reserved dough over base in small chunks for crumble effect.
- Bake:
- Bake for 28<32 minutes, or until top is set and lightly golden.
- Cool:
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
- Make lemon glaze:
- Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Glaze bars:
- Drizzle glaze over cooled bars and let set for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Save to Pinterest My children love helping me drizzle the lemon glaze, a little family tradition now every winter and spring. These bars always get requested at our weekend tea table.
Required Tools
8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, rubber spatula, parchment paper
Allergen Information
Contains wheat, eggs, and dairy. Always check ingredient labels to be sure.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 220 calories, 8 g total fat, 36 g carbohydrates, 2 g protein
Save to Pinterest Let bars cool before adding glaze for best results. Enjoy these flavorful treats fresh or pack for gifts.
Recipe FAQs
- → What spices are used in the base?
Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg create the warm, festive spice blend throughout the base.
- → How is the crumble topping made?
A reserved portion of the dough is crumbled over the base before baking to form a buttery, textured topping.
- → What makes the glaze tangy?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice combined with lemon zest and powdered sugar gives the glaze its bright, tangy flavor.
- → Can the bars be made dairy-free?
Yes, substituting vegan butter in place of unsalted butter creates a dairy-free version without sacrificing taste.
- → How long should the bars cool before glazing?
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan for best results before drizzling the lemon glaze on top.
- → Are there suggested add-ins for extra flavor?
Chopped crystallized ginger or toasted pecans can be added to the crumble for added texture and taste.