Save Rich, spiced gingerbread bars layered with a buttery crumble and finished with a tangy lemon glaze—a festive treat perfect for any season.
I first baked these bars for a holiday party and they quickly became the most requested dessert among friends. The contrasting blend of warm spices and refreshing lemon glaze was a hit every time.
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 pan:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients:
- Add melted butter, molasses, and egg. Stir until a thick, crumbly dough forms.
- Reserve topping:
- Reserve 3/4 cup of the dough for the crumble topping.
- Make the base:
- Press remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the base.
- Add crumble:
- Sprinkle reserved dough over the base in small chunks for a crumble effect.
- Bake:
- Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden.
- Cool:
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare glaze:
- Whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Glaze bars:
- Drizzle glaze over cooled bars. Let set for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares.
Save We made these together last winter, laughing as we drizzled glaze over the still-warm bars. Sharing them with loved ones turned a simple bake into a special family memory.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these bars with a cup of hot tea or mulled cider for an extra cozy treat.
Storage Tips
Store sliced bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for longer freshness.
Nutritional Information
Each bar has about 220 calories, 8 g fat, 36 g carbohydrates, and 2 g protein per serving.
Save For a festive treat with zesty flavor and cozy warmth, these gingerbread lemon bars are sure to delight at any gathering or family night.
Recipe FAQ
- → What spices are used in the gingerbread base?
The base features ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, imparting warm, aromatic notes.
- → Can I add nuts for extra texture?
Yes, chopped crystallized ginger or toasted pecans can be mixed into the crumble for additional flavor and crunch.
- → How is the lemon glaze made?
The glaze combines powdered sugar with freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest for a tangy finish.
- → Is there a dairy-free option?
To make it dairy-free, substitute the butter with vegan butter alternatives in both the base and crumble.
- → What baking tools are recommended?
An 8-inch square baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, rubber spatula, and parchment paper are essential for preparation.