Friday, September 21, 2012

Lemon Ginger Bars

This is a lovely ginger bar with a touch of lemon. I made this a couple of months ago, just never got round to post about it. The taste of the ginger is not overpowering, you could definitely taste the ginger, but it is not overly strong. Because it has crystallized and ground ginger, instead of fresh ginger, you would not feel the heat from the ginger, and the ginger goes well with the honey and lemon.


The simple glaze of icing sugar and lemon is nice, the glaze will harden, making it easier to stack the bars as they will not stick to each other.


I love using crystallized ginger in bakes and could not resist popping some in the mouth when I chopped them to pieces!


A lovely bar, with a touch of lemon, both in the bar and the frosting. The frosting will harden when it cools, but it is very nice, and this ginger bar is a good keeper. I kept the sliced bars for almost a week in an air-tight container, leaving it on the table at room temperature (no need to refrigerate), and I nibbled on them, mostly on my own, well not all of it! My kids are not overly fond of ginger, so I packed most of it for my hubby to take for this office colleagues.


This makes quite a big tray, so it will be great to share. Otherwise, halve the recipe. I love the bits of ginger in the bar. The best way to eat this is to cut in small pieces to nibble and enjoy!


Lovely with some warm Chinese Tea.

I'm sharing this with :
Recipe Box hosted by Bizzy Bakes
Full Plate Thursday hosted by Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Frugal Food Thursday hosted by Frugal Follies
Food on Fridays : Lemon and Limes hosted by Carole's Chatter


Lemon Ginger Bars
(adapted from "bake!" by Nick Malgieri)
Makes 24 bars
325gm plain flour
170gm sugar (I use 130gm)
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking powder
225gm unsalted butter
1 medium egg, lightly beaten
4 tablespoons finely chopped crystallised ginger
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

Lemon Glaze
225gm icing sugar, sifted after measuring
3 tablespoons lemon juice, strained before measuring

One 23x33x5cm tin lined with buttered foil

  1. Set a rack in the centre of the oven and preheat to 190C/gas mark 5.
  2. Mix the flour, sugar, ground ginger and baking powder in a medium bowl.
  3. Melt the butter over a medium heat and immediately add to the dry ingredients; use a large rubber spatula to stir to a smooth, shiny dough. Add the egg, crystallised ginger, honey and lemon zest and beat vigorously to make a smooth dough.
  4. Scrape the dough into the prepared tin and use the palm of your hand to press it evenly over the bottom of the tin. Don't be concerned if the dough looks greasy, as though some of the butter has separated out.
  5. Bake the bars until well risen, firm and lightly golden, 20-25 minutes.
  6. While the bars are baking, use a small rubber spatula to beat the icing sugar and lemon juice together. If it's too thick to spread, thin by adding 1/2 teaspoon water at a time until it's right.
  7. As soon as the bars are baked, place a chopping board on the tin and use oven mitts to invert the hot bars to the board. Remove the tin and foil. Immediately use a small palette knife to spread the lemon glaze on the bars so that it sets as the bars cool.
  8. Use a ruler to mark, then cut into 5mm squares.
Serving : Arrange the bars on a serving plate; the icing is dry, so they can be stacked.
Storage : Keep the bars in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid between sheets of baking paper.


30 comments:

  1. Fantastic! How about linking it in to Food on Friday: Lemons and limes? Have a great week!

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  2. I'm early today! Love the combination of lemon+ginger! Pls check your email again as the date has changed. I think most likely will do it on either 19th or 20th, weekday, hope it is fine to you too!

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  3. This look good macam sesuai untuk orang tengah berpantang :).
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  4. It looks so moist and delicious! Ginger and lemon does go very well together!

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  5. i love munching on crystalized ginger, but never bake with it
    the bars look delicious, Joyce :)

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  6. The look is fantastic, I have to make this recipe,
    thanks for sharing :)
    Kisses, good weekend.

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  7. It looks really nice, a perfect picnic recipe.. Very neatly done !

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  8. I love the idea, they look fabulous!
    Have a nice weekend my friend!

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  9. Rica combinación se ve estupendos na idea genial,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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  10. Hello. JUst discovered you blog. Your recipe looks fantastic !

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  11. Yumm! I make a ginger lemonade that we love and this would be a perfect way to use the candied ginger that results from making the syrup for it. I can't wait to try them! :~)

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  12. Thanks for linking this in to Food on Friday. Cheers

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  13. Dear Joyce, These bars look so moist and delicious. I would love to try one...lemon and ginger sounds like a wonderful combination. Right up my alley! Blessings to you, Catherine xo

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  14. I am the only one in the family that loves ginger. Haiz... only can drool on yours.

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  15. I can 'smell' your bars from my place here. Love the ginger-ly aroma~~

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  16. I love anything spiced and spicy---and adore the tender ginger bits in these! YUM!!

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  17. Great combo & looks heavenly with the yummy glazing! :)

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  18. Looks so yummy. Awesome clicks and a lovely recipe.

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  19. Delicious and lovely bars. Wonderfully prepared.
    Deepa

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  20. These really look delicious! The combination of ingredients makes for great eating and I know my family could finish a pan of these in short order. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  21. i also like that gingery taste, yeah i think most kids will not appreciate that, they will want chocolate and more chocolate!! that lemon glaze sounds very good with ginger bars!

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  22. wah..so moist..you use the lemon from your garden kah? best nya.

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  23. Mmmm, I love crystallized ginger too. These look so beautifully simple and delicious!

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  24. Yum…so moist and heavenly…would love a slice with my tea right now!

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  25. Beautifully made , Joyce ! Love the flavor combo in these bars !

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  26. Lemon and ginger..I sure love the combo! These bars look terrific, Joy.

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  27. Hi Joy,
    I just love the looks of your Lemon Ginger Bars, they look delicious! Hope you are having a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  28. I think those look delicious!!!

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