31 July 2011

Ginger Crunch Bars


I'm going to keep this post short and sweet (for a change!)

I love ginger, all things ginger. Anyone else have a secret crush on Ronald Weasley..? No? Just me then...


If you fancy a bit o' spice in your life then this, my lovely friends, is the post for you. A gorgeously buttery, ginger spiked shortbread base (that Im tempted to just make by itself its so good) is bathed in a coating of sweet spiced icing and sprinkled with the godly stuff that is candied ginger. That's a hellofalota zing right there! It is dangerously addictive so make at your own risk, but there are no calories on weekends, it's a fact. If there was then I would be royally screwed right now, these little blighters just keep happenninngg to make their way into hands..then mouth..then belly. Don't ask me how, it's a mystery. But I'm not complaining


Make these, share these, gain a lot of lovin'

Or just eat them all yourself and be one sugar-highed happy chappy :)


Ginger Crunch Bars
Adapted from Goodtoknow

For the base
225g (8oz) all-purpose flour
100g (3 1/2oz) caster sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground ginger
150g (5 1/2oz) butter, cubed

For the icing
150g (5 1/2oz) butter
60ml (2fl oz / 4 Tbsp) golden syrup*
300g (10 1/2oz) icing/confectioners sugar, sifted
1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp ground ginger
5/6 cubes of candied crystallised ginger, chopped finely (optional)**

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F and line/grease an 8 inch square tin***
For the base: whizz together the flour, sugar, baking powder and ginger in a food processor until well mixed
Add in the cubed butter and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs (can also use a pastry cutter)
Pour the crumbly mix into the tin and press it down hard and evenly using the back of a spoon and/or your fingers, making sure you press into the corners
Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly golden****
Leave to cool completely

For the icing: put the butter and golden syrup in a medium saucepan and heat gently until just melted
Add the sifted icing sugar and ginger, cook for a further 1-2 minutes stirring constantly until smooth
Remove from the heat and pour over the cooled base
Sprinkle over candied ginger if using and press them in very lightly with your fingers
Put in the refrigerator for an hour or so to set
Remove from the tin and cut into whatever size pieces you fancy :) 
I stored them in, and served straight from, the refrigerator

Notes
They are quite sweet so I might see if I can knock back the sugar content a bit or make less icing next time, they are still yummy of course but if you don't have a very sweet tooth I would maybe try and alter it slightly

*In this similar recipe the golden syrup is substituted with corn syrup, so it is possible if you cannot obtain golden syrup but I think the flavour it provides would be missed
**You could also put the candied ginger into the base mixture if you didn't want it on top. If so just stir it into the crumbles before pressing it into the pan
***The original recipe calls for a 7 x 10 3/4 inch tin which is slightly larger, so if you would rather a little thinner bars than mine then go with the original :)
****Original says 20-25 minutes, at 20 minutes it was nowhere near ready. Mine baked for around 27 minutes

    Handy dandy printable

24 comments:

  1. OMG, ginger and shortbread? I call this a totally irresistible combination!

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  2. I have a secret crush on Ron Weasley, too!
    Ok, my boyfriend knows about it because I sometimes sighed suspiciously while watching the last Harry Potter movie...
    Well, ah,... I love your Ginger Crunch bars and my Procrastrobaker- recipes to try- list is growing.

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  3. These look so yummy and interesting. I love Ginger. Those Harry potter kids really grew up well. Who knew Neville would look so good.

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  4. These look so rich and delicious.

    Great photos too!

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  5. @Sweet Artichoke Ginger shortbread has always held a place in my heart too, so to make something so gingery and shortbready was pretty dreamy! Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

    @lavieenfribourg Woo yeah! Im not alone! Thanks for the comment Nadine :)

    @Allison That made me giggle Allison :) I totally agree, he grew up into a bit of alright hey! Especially considering he didnt start out quite so...handsome!

    @CakewithHazelThank you Hazel! They are rather scrummy but definitely the kind of sweet you cant eat too much of in one go without getting sugar overload

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  6. hmmm, i would definitely welcome the spicy bits of crystallized ginger in these!

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  7. I've recently developed a serious ginger addiction, so these bars look very dangerous. And delicious!

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  8. Perfection. These bars sound fantastic!

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  9. just found your blog! these ginger crunch bars look delish! can't wait to browse around :)
    xo,
    mini baker

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  10. So glad to hear about the calorie-less weekend aspect of these, but will have to wait until next weekend to make these then since this one is almost over. Lovely recipe and photos!

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  11. Oh those look lovely! Its eight thirty in the morning but I want them in my belly NOW. I think I may have to make a trip for ingredients post haste.

    My best friend has a very un-secret crush on Rupert Grint. She has openly dared people to claim to love him more than she does. Total strangers. I think she even has a T Shirt that she had printed with his face. That's where it went from funny to slightly-stalkery!

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  12. Love The candied ginger! Big spice lover here :)

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  13. Sasha! You had me at "ginger" girl! I can't wait to plant my own ginger plant in my yard (as soon as I get a house). I want ginger and I would put it on everything!

    Yeah, I'm making these.

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  14. These look absolutely scrumptious, butter and ginger make happy couple! And what you said about weekends and calories...so true. :D

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  15. These look brilliant! Definitely sinful and that's just how I like my treats. x

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  16. These are PERFECTION! yummy. I have a cruch on Ron Weasley toooo! He's soooo cute.

    I just came across your blog today! Very LOVELY. :D

    :)
    Carrie
    http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

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  17. Wow, YUM! I love crystallized ginger, these look absolutely amazing!

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  18. Though I might pass on Ron Weasley, I will always take ginger. Such a wonderful ingredient. I can't seem to make biscuits or cookies without it. Ginger crunch bars therefore sound incredible.

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  19. Your ginger crunch bars look delicious! I love the crystallized ginger topping.

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  20. These look awesome! I need to have parties to go to so I have an excuse to make these! :D

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  21. Ronald Weasely fan checking in!

    i love how your cut these babies up... i would be digging into the larger pieces myself :)

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  22. Thank you all for your wonderfully kind comments, you are brilliant! :)

    @pepperandsherry That made me lauughh, maybe edging on slightly creepy there indeed...but hey, hes a fitty so I can see where she is coming from :)

    @Tara @ The Butter Dish I would LOVE my own ginger plant!!! Id never thought about that but I use it so often that would just be wonderful! Definitely going to research this little idea thank you Tara!

    @Carrie Thats so sweet Carrie thank you, I checked your blog out and its so unique and your writing style is awesome :)

    @Noelle Noelle, you dont need an excuse my friend! Make them for yourself and enjoy them guilt free because everyone deserves a treat!

    @Angry Asian Awh thanks for that, I was contemplating not putting the photo up because i hadnt cut them all neat and even, but I like a variety of sizes depending on how greedy im feeling!

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