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Sunday, July 22, 2012

Ginger Bars

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I have a fond appreciation for ginger. I’ve learned to love bourbon thanks to a little mixer known as ginger beer and I’ve started storing fresh ginger in the freezer so that I always have it on hand to add to recipes. When I saw the recipe for ginger bars from Women’s Day magazine on A Full Measure of Happiness, I immediately bookmarked them. As expected, these packed quite a ginger bunch, thanks to a hefty dose of both ground and candied ginger. 
I like to think these were “healthy”, made with whole-wheat flour and ground flax…and on the scale of baked goods, these definitely fall on the less indulgent side. You would honestly never guess—the brown sugar makes these extra chewy and completely eliminates the heaviness sometimes found in baked goods made with whole wheat. I finished off my package of candied ginger making these, but I plan to buy more ASAP because I know the craving for these will strike again! Next time, I’ll eat ‘em with a ginger beer & bourbon concoction for the ultimate ginger fix!
Wondering what else to do with candied ginger? It’s great in this fruit salad and these muffins, too!


One Year Ago: Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, and Spinach over Goat Cheese Polenta
Two Years Ago: Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ginger Bars
as seen on A Full Measure of Happiness, from Women's Day Magazine
Ingredients:
-1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-1 large egg
-2 tsp vanilla extract
-3/4 cup whole wheat flour
-1/4 cup flaxseed meal (I get mine at Trader Joe's)
-2 tsp ground ginger
-1 tsp baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/2 cup chopped crystallized ginger

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8 or 9-inch baking dish with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and mix in sugar. Whisk in egg and vanilla.
3. Add flour, flaxseed meal, ground ginger, baking powder, and salt, mixing until combined. Stir in crystallized ginger. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan.
4. Bake for 18-24 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool before cutting into pieces.