HERMIT BARS WITH BROWN-SUGAR ICING AND CANDIED GINGER

Hermit Bars with Brown-Sugar Icing and Candied Ginger image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Yield Makes about 3 dozen 2-inch squares

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan, room temperature
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 cups packed dark-brown sugar
1 large whole egg
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup molasses
1 cup (about 5 ounces) chopped candied ginger, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3/4 cup raisins
Brown-Sugar Icing

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-by-15-inch baking pan, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Butter the parchment, and set pan aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, yolk, and molasses.
Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until combined. Add 1/2 cup candied ginger and the raisins; beat until combined.
Spread dough into the prepared pan in an even layer, and bake until firm to the touch, 18 to 22 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. Remove from oven; let cool completely in pan before icing.
Drizzle with icing, and then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup candied ginger. Let stand until icing has set, about 15 minutes. Serve cut into squares.