Lebkuchen Bars

 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

How To Make Lebkuchen Bars

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 9×9-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!