Save to Pinterest Rich, spiced gingerbread bars layered with a buttery crumble and finished with a tangy lemon glaze—a festive treat perfect for any season.
I first made these bars for a holiday gathering, and their irresistible aroma brought everyone into the kitchen. The blend of gingerbread and lemon quickly became a family favorite at any time of year.
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Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Light brown sugar, packed: 1 cup (200 g)
- Ground ginger: 2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/4 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Unsalted butter, melted: 3/4 cup (170 g)
- Unsulphured molasses: 1/3 cup (80 ml)
- Large egg: 1
- Powdered sugar, sifted: 1 cup (120 g)
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: 2 tbsp
- Finely grated lemon zest: 1 tsp
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Instructions
- Prepare the baking pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- Mix dry ingredients:
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Add wet ingredients:
- Add melted butter, molasses, and egg. Stir until a thick, crumbly dough forms.
- Reserve crumble:
- Set aside 3/4 cup of the dough for topping.
- Form base:
- Press remaining dough into prepared pan evenly.
- Add crumble topping:
- Sprinkle reserved dough over base in small chunks.
- Bake:
- Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until top is set and lightly golden.
- Cool:
- Let bars cool completely in pan.
- Prepare lemon glaze:
- Whisk powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Finish bars:
- Drizzle glaze over cooled bars. Allow to set for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
Save to Pinterest When my kids helped drizzle the lemon glaze, they laughed every time it landed in thick squiggles. These bars now mark the beginning of our holiday baking season.
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Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with hot tea or mulled cider for an extra cozy treat, or serve as a sweet finish for brunch.
Storage Tips
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer keeping.
Variations
For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter. Add 1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger or toasted pecans to the crumble for crunch.
Save to Pinterest 
Slice and share with loved ones to brighten any day—the lemon glaze sets these bars apart.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What gives these bars their spicy flavor?
The warm mix of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg creates the distinctive spicy profile of the gingerbread base.
- → How is the lemon glaze made?
It’s a simple mixture of powdered sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest whisked together until smooth.
- → Can I add nuts or other toppings?
Yes, adding chopped crystallized ginger or toasted pecans to the crumble topping enhances flavor and texture.
- → What's the best way to bake and cool these bars?
They should be baked in an 8-inch square pan at 350°F until golden and set, then cooled completely before glazing and slicing.
- → Are there options for dietary preferences?
For a dairy-free version, vegan butter can replace the unsalted butter without compromising texture or flavor.
