If you adore the cozy spices of the holiday season and crave a treat that’s bursting with warm flavors and subtle citrus notes, you’re going to love this Lebkuchen Bars Recipe. These bars capture the essence of traditional German Lebkuchen cookies but bring it all together in a soft, easy-to-slice dessert that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth. With a fragrant blend of cinnamon, ginger, orange zest, and honey, every bite feels like a festive hug, making it one of my absolute favorite recipes to return to year after year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these delightful Lebkuchen bars, you’ll want to gather ingredients that might already be in your pantry but come together in a beautifully balanced way to deliver flavor, richness, and texture. Each element plays a role from the deep sweetness of honey to the aromatic spices and bright orange accents.
- Honey (1/2 cup): adds natural sweetness and a golden warmth that is signature to Lebkuchen.
- Dark brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): contributes a rich molasses undertone and moist texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/3 cup): balances out the sweetness and helps the bars set nicely.
- Unsalted butter (3 Tablespoons): provides creaminess and helps the dough bind.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): the base ingredient lending structure to the bars.
- Baking soda (3/4 teaspoon): lightens the texture by helping the bars rise just enough.
- Ground cinnamon (3 teaspoons): delivers that warm, comforting spice essential in this recipe.
- Ground ginger (1 teaspoon): adds a subtle zing, enhancing the overall spice profile.
- Large egg (1): binds everything together and adds richness.
- Orange juice (2 Tablespoons): brightens the flavor and adds moisture.
- Orange zest (1 teaspoon, finely grated): infuses a fresh citrus aroma that cuts through the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract (1 1/2 teaspoons): rounds out the flavors with its sweet, floral notes.
- Sliced unblanched almonds (1/2 cup, optional): offer pleasant crunch and nutty depth if you choose to include them.
- Finely chopped candied orange peel (1/3 cup, optional): boosts the citrus kick and adds chewy texture.
- Confectioners’ sugar (1 cup): used for the sweet, spicy glaze that tops the bars.
- Additional orange juice (2 Tablespoons): to mix into the glaze for perfect consistency and flavor.
- Freshly grated ginger (1/4 teaspoon): gives the glaze a gentle warmth.
- Vanilla extract (1/4 teaspoon): adds a soft finishing note to the glaze.
How to Make Lebkuchen Bars Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Honey Mixture
Start by gently heating honey, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve completely—it’s critical this mixture is smooth to create that perfect chewy texture later on.
Step 2: Let the Mixture Cool
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the warm, sweet mixture to cool for about 15 minutes. This step is essential so your egg doesn’t cook when you add it, ensuring a smooth dough.
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
While your honey mixture cools, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger in a separate bowl. This spice blend is the heart of the Lebkuchen flavor and will make the whole kitchen smell incredible as you mix it in later.
Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients and Add Mix-Ins
Into the cooled honey mixture, whisk the egg, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. If you love texture in your bars, fold in the sliced almonds and chopped candied orange peel now — both add wonderful layers of flavor and interest.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry to Form Dough
Gradually add the dry spice and flour mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring until a sticky, dense dough forms. This stickiness helps create the soft, chewy base of your Lebkuchen bars.
Step 6: Chill the Dough Overnight
Transfer your dough to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap — placing it directly on the dough surface helps prevent drying out — and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This slow chilling deepens the flavors and firms the dough for easier spreading.
Step 7: Prepare to Bake
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan to ensure your bars release easily once baked.
Step 8: Bring Dough to Room Temperature and Spread
Remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit for about 30 minutes; this makes it much easier to spread evenly in your pan. Press and smooth the dough carefully for an even layer.
Step 9: Bake the Bars
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, signaling perfectly cooked bars with a tender crumb.
Step 10: Prepare and Apply the Glaze
Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, freshly grated ginger, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. When the bars are out of the oven but still warm, spread this fragrant glaze evenly over the top, which will set beautifully as everything cools.
Step 11: Cool and Cut
Allow the glazed bars to cool completely in the pan so the glaze can firm up. This step is crucial for neat, clean slices.
How to Serve Lebkuchen Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle additional sliced almonds or a dusting of cinnamon on top for a pretty finishing touch. If you want to get festive, add a few whole candied orange peels or crystallized ginger pieces for visual appeal and extra zing.
Side Dishes
Lebkuchen bars pair beautifully with a steaming cup of spiced tea, rich coffee, or even mulled wine. Their spice profile complements creamy dairy-based desserts as well, so consider serving alongside a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut into small squares and arrange on a wooden serving board or elegant platter dusted lightly with powdered sugar. For holiday gifting, stack them in a decorative tin tied with a ribbon, or wrap individual bars in parchment paper for a charming package.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Lebkuchen bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh for up to one month. The flavor actually improves with time, so if you can resist digging in right away, let them sit for a week or two to develop even more depth.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these bars later, they freeze wonderfully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They keep well for up to three months without losing their lovely texture or flavor.
Reheating
Enjoy frozen bars thawed at room temperature, or for a warm treat, gently heat in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and intensifies the spice aroma.
FAQs
Can I make this Lebkuchen Bars Recipe gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to hold the dough together properly.
What can I use instead of candied orange peel?
If you don’t have candied orange peel, finely chopped dried apricots or dried cranberries add a nice fruity contrast. They won’t have the exact citrus zing but still bring chewy sweetness to the bars.
How long do these bars last at room temperature?
Stored in an airtight container, Lebkuchen bars maintain their best flavor and texture for up to one month at room temperature. They actually improve with a bit of aging, developing more complex spice notes.
Can I skip the nuts if I’m allergic?
Absolutely! The almonds are optional, so you can simply leave them out or replace them with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a different crunch and no nut allergy worries.
Is there a way to make the glaze thicker?
If your glaze is too thin, add a bit more confectioners’ sugar a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. Conversely, if too thick, a few drops of orange juice can loosen it up gently.
Final Thoughts
This Lebkuchen Bars Recipe is a charming way to enjoy the flavors of the season any time of year, wrapped up in a simple, sliceable treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Once you try these bars, you’ll see why they hold a special place in holiday traditions and beyond. I can’t wait for you to bake a batch and create your own sweet memories with this warm, spiced delight!
Print
Lebkuchen Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes active plus 8 hours chilling
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 15 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Description
These Lebkuchen Bars are a flavorful and festive treat inspired by traditional German gingerbread cookies. They combine the warmth of honey, brown sugar, and classic spices like cinnamon and ginger with bright notes of orange. The bars are soft and chewy, studded with optional almonds and candied orange peel for extra texture and flavor, then topped with a tangy orange-ginger glaze. Perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you want a comforting spiced dessert.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (finely grated)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sliced unblanched almonds (optional)
- 1/3 cup finely chopped candied orange peel (optional)
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Honey Mixture: In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine honey, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Stir until the butter has melted and the sugars have fully dissolved, creating a smooth syrupy base.
- Cool Honey Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes to prevent cooking the egg in later steps.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Once the honey mixture is cool, add the egg, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. If desired, mix in sliced unblanched almonds and chopped candied orange peel for texture and extra flavor. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture until a sticky dough forms, making sure everything is thoroughly blended.
- Chill Dough: Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dough and cover it with another piece of plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate the dough for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
- Prepare for Baking: When ready, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Bring Dough to Room Temperature: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it stand about 30 minutes to soften slightly for easier spreading.
- Shape Dough in Pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula or your fingers.
- Bake: Bake the bars for 20 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked but still moist.
- Make the Glaze: While the bars bake, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, freshly grated ginger, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
- Glaze Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Immediately brush or spread the glaze evenly over the warm bars to create a shiny, flavorful coating.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool fully at room temperature to allow the glaze to set firmly before cutting.
- Store and Serve: Store the cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. These bars can be eaten right away, but the flavors improve and deepen if allowed to rest for 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- For best flavor development, refrigerate the dough overnight before baking.
- Optional almonds and candied orange peel add texture and bursts of flavor but can be omitted for a simpler bar.
- The bars keep well for up to a month in an airtight container and actually taste better after a week or two as the spices meld.
- You can swap out orange juice and zest for lemon for a different citrus flavor.
- Ensure the honey mixture is cooled before adding the egg to avoid scrambling.
