Best Easy Lebkuchen Bars Recipe – Soft German Gingerbread Bars with Orange Glaze


These Lebkuchen Bars capture all the warm, spiced flavor of traditional German gingerbread in an easy-to-make bar form. They're soft, fragrant, and topped with a bright orange glaze that perfectly complements the honey and spice flavors.

Perfect for holiday baking, afternoon coffee, or whenever you're craving a cozy European-style treat.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Bars

  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (170 g) honey
  • ⅓ cup (65 g) brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange

For the Orange Glaze

  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Grease or line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients