Gingerbread Bars
Cozy and flavorful Gingerbread Bars topped with a glossy orange glaze, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour Use unbleached for best results.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Freshly ground for best flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Use fresh if possible.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Stick to the listed spices for authentic results.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter Softened at room temperature.
- 1 cup brown sugar Light or dark brown sugar works well.
- 1/2 cup molasses Unsulfured for best flavor.
- 1 large egg Room temperature for better mixing.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- 1 cup chopped nuts Walnuts or pecans can be added for crunch.
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, then add molasses, egg, and vanilla.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Optionally fold in chopped nuts.
Baking
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Glazing
- Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest to make the glaze.
- Pour the glaze evenly over cooled bars and let set.
Serving
- Once the glaze is set, cut into squares and serve.
Notes
For storage, keep glazed bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Wrap individually for freezing for up to 3 months.