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Lebkuchen Bars

Lebkuchen Bars

These incredible Lebkuchen Bars transform traditional German gingerbread into an effortless, chewy traybake! Packed with warm spices, honey, and a bright orange glaze, they are the ultimate make-ahead holiday dessert.
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Prep Time 20 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • For the Bars:
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ 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 ½ teaspoons vanilla
  • ½ cup sliced almonds

For the Icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Melt the Base: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Bring the mixture just to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugars are fully dissolved, then remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool.
  • Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients: Once the stovetop honey mixture has cooled sufficiently (so it doesn't scramble the egg), add the egg, 2 tablespoons of orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Whisk to combine, then gently fold in the sliced almonds.
  • Mix the Dough: Spoon the wet honey mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix with a spatula until just combined and no dry flour streaks remain.
  • Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the sticky dough to prevent it from drying out. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours, or overnight. (Plan ahead!)
  • Prep for Baking: When ready to bake, remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
  • Press and Bake: Transfer the rested dough to the prepared baking dish. Use a greased spatula (or greased fingers) to press the sticky dough into a flat, even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Make the Icing: While the bars are baking, prepare your icing. Mix the powdered sugar, orange juice, grated fresh ginger, and vanilla in a small bowl until completely smooth and no lumps remain.
  • Glaze: Remove the baked bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for just 5-10 minutes. While still warm, spread the prepared icing evenly over the top.
  • Cool and Slice: Allow the glazed bars to fully cool at room temperature so the icing can set completely before slicing into squares.

Notes

Pro-Tip: For the absolute best flavor and texture, resist the urge to eat these immediately! Store the cooled, sliced bars in an airtight container at room temperature and serve them the next day; the honey needs time to soften the crumb and deepen the spices.
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