German Spiced Gingerbread Bars with Sweet Glaze
These soft, warmly spiced Lebkuchen Bars are inspired by traditional German Christmas gingerbread.
Made with honey, brown sugar, aromatic spices, and a delicate white glaze, they’re perfect for holiday baking, cozy afternoons, or sharing with family and friends.
Prep time
15 minutes
Bake time
20–25 minutes
Yield
16 bars
Ingredients
For the gingerbread bars
2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
½ cup (120 g) honey
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (60 g) finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts, optional
⅓ cup (50 g) finely chopped candied orange peel, optional
For the white glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons lemon juice or milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Cream the butter and sugar. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Add the honey and egg. Mix in the honey and egg until fully combined.
5. Combine the mixture. Add the dry ingredients gradually, alternating with the milk. Stir until a thick, smooth batter forms.
6. Add the extras. Fold in the chopped nuts and candied orange peel, if using.
7. Spread into the pan. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread it evenly into the corners.
8. Bake. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs.
9. Cool completely. Leave the gingerbread in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack to cool completely.
10. Prepare the glaze. Whisk the powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or milk. Add more liquid a little at a time until the glaze is thick but spreadable.
11. Glaze the bars. Spread the glaze evenly over the cooled gingerbread. Allow it to set before cutting.
12. Slice and serve. Cut into 16 rectangular bars using a sharp knife.
Tips for the best Lebkuchen Bars
For a softer texture: Avoid overbaking; the bars will firm up as they cool.
For a deeper flavor: Prepare them a day ahead. The spices become more pronounced after resting.
For a classic finish: Use lemon juice in the glaze for a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
For storage: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them without the glaze for up to 2 months.
Enjoy these deliciously spiced, tender Lebkuchen Bars with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate! 🍯🍪