Ginger squares (or ginger bars) are a delicious shortbread-like slice topped with sweet ginger icing.
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This recipe for ginger squares comes from one of my amazing Grandmother's hand-written recipe books.
I think the classic old recipes are the best!
Back from the day we use to know how to cook by feel and instructions included phrases like 'in a slow oven.'
A while ago Mum took us on a little stealth trip to see their family home (stealth because it's on a property in central Queensland).
You might like to try our lemon and ginger shortbread.
Ever since, I can picture my Grandma baking in the kitchen and hear and smell the bush outside.
These ginger bars are quick and simple to make and taste almost like a ginger-iced shortbread slice.
The first time I made them I packaged some up and left them at my Grandma's door (a common occurrence).
One minute after I got off the phone to tell her to look outside, my phone rang.
'I've already had one and they are delicious!' It was great to hear I'd done the recipe justice.
Not only was I cooking from my Grandmother's recipe book but the tin was passed on from her a few years ago too.
Ingredients
BASE
- Butter - the pure type that comes wrapped in foil.
- Caster sugar - or superfine sugar.
- Brown sugar - you can use all the one type of sugar but this adds a bit of a caramel flavour.
- Plain flour - or all-purpose flour.
- Baking powder - to help it rise.
- Ground ginger - the star of the show.
ICING
- Icing sugar - also called powdered or confectioners sugar
- Butter - pure butter not the spreadable stuff in a tub.
- Ground ginger
- Golden syrup - you could use honey in its place but it won't be as sweet or rich in flavour.
Instructions
The base for ginger squares is super simple to make.
Just beat up the butter and sugar then add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix it until it all comes together.
Cooking from my Grandmother's book, I really should have done it by hand as she would have done.
You might also enjoy raspberry squares.
I like my modern conveniences.
I used my hands to push the dough into the tin so that was hands-on enough.
Make sure you flatten out the top so it's nice and smooth.
Bake at 175C fan-forced for 15 to 20 minutes or just until it starts to turn golden on the top.
Typing this up now, it seems I've inadvertently changed up the recipe a little.
To make the icing, I just melted everything together in a saucepan then poured it over the cooled base (I left it to cool in the tin).
Re-reading the recipe, I was meant to beat the icing once it cooled so it was nice and light.
Feel free to beat it if you like but I rather enjoyed my version, which set nicely on top of the buttery base.
Slice it up into squares and enjoy!
Recipe
Ginger squares
Ingredients
Base
- 125 g butter
- 30 g caster sugar
- 30 g brown sugar
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Icing
- 4 tablespoon icing sugar
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 teaspoon golden syrup
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175C fan-forced and grease and line a 15x25cm shallow pan.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
- Press the mixture into the tin.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until it starts to turn golden.
- Leave to cool in the tin.
- Meanwhile, make the icing.
- Place the icing sugar, butter, ginger and golden syrup in a small saucepan and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour over the base and leave to set.
- Cut the slice into squares to serve.
Chandra Crowther says
My mum used to cook these all the time growing up.
Shes a Kiwi and called these Cekestial Squares (pretty sure from AuntvDausy cookbook)
Her ginger icing is amazing ...like fudge almost!Definitely my most fav of her recipes!
Claire says
Ginger fudge icing sounds amazing!
Jess says
I have a bunch of recipes from my grandmother and I absolutely cherish them. What a sweet thought to make these and take them to her! Can you believe that I never used to like ginger, but in the past couple years I've found that I absolutely crave it? Strange how tastes can change so much!
Claire says
Never liked ginger? Jess I'm glad you came to your senses :-)
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That looks gorgeous and I love that shot with your grandmother's recipe book! :D
Claire says
Thanks Lorraine!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
Claire - what a lovely story! Having your grandmom's cookbook must be fantastic. I don't think I've ever made anything like this with ginger - it sounds amazing!
Claire says
It's such a special thing to have Stephanie!
Hotly Spiced says
My mother used to make these when I was growing up and they're so wonderful. I'll try to find her recipe and if she no longer has it, I'll use yours! They look great, Claire xx
Claire says
It must have been a popular recipe! x
Jo Smith says
Great recipe Claire and a lovely story too. I have two of my Nana's baking trays that my Pop made. I bake each week for lunch boxes and try to resist the urge to bake to have something in the cupboard to nibble. It's very hard when you put up such yummy recipes. Your cupcakes are on high rotation here.
Claire says
Your Pop made them?! How wonderful! I'm glad you like the cupcakes. It's my go-to recipe now. So easy and consistent.
Nic@diningwithastud says
Your granbdmothers books looks like my grandmothers book :) haha! Such awesome recipes.
Claire says
Such a special thing to have isn't it?!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I bake because my sweet tooth screams, "there's nothing sweet in the house??? get in the kitchen!"
I'd make granny's ginger squares too :)
but, if my grandchild left something at the door and didn't come in, it would break my heart!
Claire says
Oh don't worry I always go in but this was late afternoon and she'd closed up, was on the phone and couldn't hear the door bell! x
Kristin says
Yum! Ginger is one of my favourites too. I try to have someone in mind, otherwise I end up eating everything as quickly as I baked it! x
Claire says
Yes I sometimes have that problem too. Good thing Guppy likes baked goodies! x
molly kelly says
I love this slice...I had completely forgotten the 10's of times I have made it! x
Claire says
Why haven't you told me about it before?! It was seriously good! x
Amy says
Oooh Claire that fabric that you have used in the background is so pretty! Goes perfectly with the slightly retro/vintage look of the slice!
x
Claire says
Isn't it! I bought it ages ago thinking I'd made PJ pants out of and then totally forgot about it (as I do). Goes nicely with the old-school butter knife too. x