Lebkuchen Bars

From America's Test Kitchen Christmas Cookies

Makes about 2 dozen bars

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening
• 3 cups (15 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon juice
• 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) confectioners sugar
• 3 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325°.
2. Line 13x9 pan with aluminum foil. Grease aluminum foil.
3. Microwave butter and shortening together in bowl until melted, about 2 minutes; let cool slightly.
4. Whisk flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamom, ginger, and salt together in second bowl.
5. In third, large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, molasses, eggs, and lemon zest together, then whisk in cooled butter mixture until combined. Stir in flour mixture until just combined.
6. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top.
7. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. The cake is done when the edges of the bars are set and the top is covered with many tiny cracks.
8. Let bars cool completely in pan on wire rack, about 2 hours. Using foil overhang, lift bars out of pan.
9. Cut into 24 pieces. Place squares on wire rack set over rimmed baking sheet.
10. Whisk confectioners sugar, milk, and lemon juice together in bowl until smooth.
11. Spread glaze evenly over bars.
12. Let glaze set for 30 minutes before serving.