Whole Wheat Spice Bars with Maple-Cream Icing

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    Molasses, cinnamon, and ginger add rich flavor to these simple dessert bars. They're great for a potluck or work party.

    By
    BHG Test Kitchen
    BHG Test Kitchen

    The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen.

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    Updated on June 9, 2021
    Whole Wheat Spice Bars with Maple-Cream Icing
    Photo: Peter Krumhardt
    Prep Time:
    20 mins
    Bake Time:
    20 mins
    Total Time:
    20 mins
    Yield:
    32 bars

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup butter, softened

    • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar

    • 1 teaspoon baking powder

    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

    • ¼ teaspoon baking soda

    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    • ½ cup molasses

    • ½ cup water

    • 2 eggs

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour

    • 1 cup whole wheat flour

    Maple-Cream Icing

    • ⅓ cup dairy sour cream

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    • ½ teaspoon maple flavoring

    • 3 cup powdered sugar

    Directions

    1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt; beat until combined.

    2. Add molasses, the water, and eggs; beat until well mixed. Beat in all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour.

    3. Spoon batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

    4. While bars are cooling, prepare Maple-Cream Icing. Spoon icing over uncut bars; spread evenly. Let stand until set. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.

    Maple-Cream Icing

    1. In a medium bowl, stir together dairy sour cream, vanilla, and maple flavoring. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar, whisking until smooth.