Lebkuchen Bars Recipe

Introduction

Lebkuchen Bars are a wonderfully spiced treat that blend honey, warm spices, and fresh orange for a delightful flavor. These bars are perfect for the holidays or anytime you want a cozy, fragrant dessert with a sweet ginger orange icing.

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Heat over medium until simmering, stirring until sugars dissolve. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground ginger.
3. Step 3: Once the honey mixture is cool, whisk in the egg, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Fold in sliced almonds.
4. Step 4: Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
5. Step 5: Cover the dough with plastic wrap pressed directly on its surface to prevent drying. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours or overnight.
6. Step 6: When ready to bake, let the dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease.
7. Step 7: Transfer the dough to the prepared dish and press evenly into a flat layer using a greased spatula. The dough will be sticky.
8. Step 8: Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Step 9: While the bars bake, prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar, orange juice, grated ginger, and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth.
10. Step 10: Cool the baked bars for 5-10 minutes, then spread the icing evenly over the top.
11. Step 11: Allow bars to cool completely at room temperature so the icing can set before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, omit the almonds or substitute with pumpkin seeds.
• Make sure to chill the dough as directed; it helps develop the flavors and makes the dough easier to handle.
• If you prefer a stronger spice flavor, add a pinch of cloves or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
• Use freshly grated ginger in the icing for a bright, zesty kick.

Storage

Store the cooled Lebkuchen Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to 5 days. These bars actually taste better after a day or two as the flavors meld. If desired, warm gently before serving, but avoid microwaving to prevent the icing from melting.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead and freeze it?

Yes, you can freeze the dough after mixing and before chilling. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh orange juice or zest?

You can substitute with 2 tablespoons of bottled orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon of dried orange peel if fresh is unavailable, though fresh ingredients offer the best flavor.

Lebkuchen Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 136 reviews

Lebkuchen Bars are a delightful spiced treat inspired by traditional German gingerbread. These bars feature a rich mixture of honey, brown sugar, warm spices like cinnamon and ginger, and fresh orange zest, crowned with a tangy orange-ginger icing. Perfect for holiday snacking or gifting, the bars offer a chewy yet tender texture with a lovely almond crunch and a luscious glaze.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes active, plus 6-8 hours chilling
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes to 8 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 9–12 bars (depending on cut size) 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bar 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 extract
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Icing Ingredients

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

Instructions

1. Prepare the Honey Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Heat over medium flame and bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sugars fully dissolve. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger to ensure an even distribution of spices.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Once the honey mixture has cooled to room temperature, whisk in the egg, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Fold in the sliced almonds gently.
4. Mix the Dough: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface to prevent drying. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
6. Preheat and Prepare Pan: When ready to bake, remove the dough from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper.
7. Shape the Bars: Transfer the sticky dough into the prepared baking dish. Use a greased spatula to evenly press the dough into a flat, uniform layer.
8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Prepare the Icing: While the bars are baking, combine powdered sugar, orange juice, freshly grated ginger, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps.
10. Ice and Cool: Remove bars from the oven and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Spread the prepared icing evenly over the warm bars.
11. Final Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature so the icing sets before slicing into squares.
12. Storage: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They develop the best flavor and texture after resting for a few days.

Notes

• Be sure to chill the dough for at least 6 hours or overnight to enhance flavor and improve texture.
• If you prefer a less sticky dough, chilling is essential and do not skip this step.
• The icing can be adjusted in consistency by adding a little more orange juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker topping.
• For a nut-free version, omit the sliced almonds or substitute with a seed like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Use fresh ginger and orange zest for the best aroma and flavor intensity in the icing.
• Bars can be stored at room temperature for up to one week or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: Lebkuchen bars, German gingerbread, spiced honey bars, holiday dessert, cinnamon ginger bars, orange zest icing