Lebkuchen Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cbrown sugar
packed
- ½ choney
- ⅓ cgranulated sugar
- 3 tbspunsalted butter
- 1 ½ call-purpose flour
- 1 tspbaking soda
- 3 tspground cinnamon
- 1 tspground ginger
- 1egg
- 2 tbspfresh orange juice
- 1 tspfresh orange zest
- 1 ½ tspvanilla
- ½ csliced almonds
- 1 cpowdered sugar
- 2 tbsporange juice
- ½ tspfreshly grated ginger
- ½ tspvanilla
Directions
- 1
Note: dough will need to chill for 6-8 hours. Plan ahead!
- 2
In a medium sized saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and butter. Bring mixture just to a simmer over medium heat, stir until sugar is fully dissolved, then remove from heat.
- 3
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger.
- 4
Once honey mixture has cooled, add egg, orange juice, zest, vanilla, to the cooled honey then fold in almonds. Spoon mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- 5
Cover dough with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dough (to prevent drying) and refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- 6
When ready to bake, allow dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- 7
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, then lightly grease.
- 8
Transfer dough to the prepared baking dish and use a greased spatula to press into a flat layer (dough will be sticky).
- 9
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- 10
As bars bake, prepare the icing. Mix all icing ingredients in a small bowl until no lumps remain.
- 11
Cool baked bars for 5-10 minutes, then spread icing over the top.
- 12
Allow bars to fully cool at room temperature and icing to set before slicing.
- 13
Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They're best enjoy a few days after baking!
Lebkuchen Bars
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About this Recipe
Craving a taste of European holiday tradition right in your own kitchen? These Lebkuchen Bars bring the warm, spiced magic of a German Christmas classic directly to you, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying with a cup of coffee.
What makes these Lebkuchen Bars truly special is their rich blend of aromatic spices, combined with the bright zest of fresh orange and the comforting sweetness of honey and brown sugar. Unlike some more delicate cookies, these bars offer a satisfying, chewy texture, making them a hearty addition to any holiday platter. The careful balance of cinnamon and ginger infuses every bite with that signature Lebkuchen flavor.
When you bake these bars, you can expect a delightful aroma to fill your home, signaling the start of the festive season. The finished Lebkuchen Bars present a moist, dense crumb, sweetened by honey and brown sugar, brightened by orange juice and zest. The addition of sliced almonds provides a subtle textural contrast, while a simple, tangy orange-ginger glaze adds a final layer of sweetness and a hint of zing. These bars are a robust, flavorful dessert that embodies the spirit of holiday baking without being overly complicated.
Feeling adventurous with your Lebkuchen? You can easily customize these bars to suit your preferences. Swap the sliced almonds for chopped walnuts or pecans for a different nutty texture. For an extra citrus punch, consider adding a touch more orange zest to the dough. If you prefer a milder spice profile, you can slightly reduce the ground ginger, or conversely, amp it up for a bolder flavor.
These Lebkuchen Bars are ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply as a cozy treat on a cold winter's night. Serve them alongside a steaming mug of tea, hot cocoa, or a robust cup of coffee for a truly comforting experience.