Gingerbread Bars with a Lemon Glaze

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter, melted
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• _______________
• Juice and zest of one lemon OR 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Gingerbread Bars
2. In mixer, cream butter and sugars together until fluffy.
3. Add molasses, vanilla and egg and blend well.
4. Sift dry ingredients together and add. Mix well.
5. Press into well-greased 10 x 15 rimmed jellyroll pan. Dough will be stiff and sticky. If needed, wet hands to press dough down evenly.
6. Bake @ 325 for 16-18 minutes, or until slightly underdone. Do not overbake.
7. Cool slightly, then cut into squares or diamond shapes.
8. Top with lemon glaze.
9. ____________
10. Lemon Gaze
11. In saucepan, add lemon juice an zest, sugar and butter. Cook until butter is melted.
12. Add whipping cream and heat until mixture comes to a boil.
13. Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly.
14. Add powdered sugar to the mixture and whisk to incorporate.
15. Pour over slightly cooled bars.