My friend Liz Benson, who loves to chat, gave her more laconic husband Tom a pack of "chitchat" cards for Christmas. Each card has a question guaranteed to be a conversation starter. These bars prompt the same flow of communication. When you bring them in to work or to a meeting, they break down social barriers, as unexpected treats generally do. Plus, you can reach almost everyone. On a diet? No problem. Fresh-ginger flavored with a hint of lime, just one good-carb cookie will satisfy. Gluten-free? Yes. Vegan? Check. Delicious? You betcha. Use a microplane grater to make short work of the fresh ginger--you don't even have to peel it.
Fresh Lime Icing:
Line a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23-cm) baking pan with parchment paper so that the paper comes up the sides of the pan. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
For the bars, in a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and ground ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh ginger, water, sorghum, oil and vanilla until well blended. Pour the sorghum mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until you have a soft yet sturdy dough. Spoon and press the dough into the prepared pan.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie is firm to the touch in the middle of the pan. Remove the cookie from the oven and let it cool for 20 minutes, then cut it into bars using a small, sharp knife. Arrange the cooled bars on a piece of parchment paper on a flat work surface.
For the Fresh Lime Icing, whisk together the confectioners' sugar, almond milk and lime zest in a medium bowl until smooth. Using the tines of a fork or a whisk, drizzle a pattern of icing over each bar. Let the icing set for 1 hour before serving. Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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Judith Fertig is a prolific cookbook author who has studied at the Cordon Bleu in London and La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris. She is the coauthor of The Gardener and the Grill, Patio Pizzeria and BBQ Bistro, and author of 500 Cupcakes, Back In the Swing, I Love Cinnamon Rolls! and The Cake Therapist, among many others. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri. Visit her at: www.judithfertig.com.
Author: Judith Fertig
Publisher: Running Press
What's Inside: 100 easy-to-follow recipes for colorful, homemade treats sure to bring everyone pleasure. You'll find ideas for cupcakes and cookies, bars and brownies, tarts and turnovers, and cakes and custards as well as syrups, icings, fruit toppings and decorations that add to the fun.
As pretty as they are delicious, these colorful goodies include everything from Homemade Oreos to Rainbow Cake with Robin's Egg Blue Frosting. This cheerful collection also features loads of make-ahead tips and flavor-boosting hints perfect for anyone wanting to share some joy (who knew dessert served on a round white plate tastes 10 percent better than the same dessert presented on a square black plate?).
Time Out: 240 pages
Available: $27.50 hardcover at Amazon and other retailers
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