Ginger Gingerbread Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon ginger powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon clove
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger (or quantity to taste)
• 3 tablespoons coarse sugar (for topping)

Directions

1. 1

   Cream butter, sugar, molasses, and egg in large bowl.

2. 2

   Add all spices and beat until well mixed.

3. 3

   Add flour and crystallized ginger; beat until flour is incorporated.

4. 4

   Spread into greased 9X13 pan and sprinkle coarse sugar on top.

5. 5

   Bake 350 degrees 25-30 minutes until medium brown and risen in the middle. Cool and cut.

6. 6

   Notes: You can put the crystallized ginger on top along with the coarse sugar; this is helpful if you want to make part of the pan milder for the kids! Looks great with colored coarse sugar.