Recipe: Ginger Squares with Streusel Topping

Ginger Squares with Streusel Topping
Source: King Arthur's Flour
Makes 54

Squares
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup diced crystallized ginger
1/4 cup molasses
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup butter, melted

Streusel Topping
1 1/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
1 pinch salt
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup diced crystallized ginger

Squares:
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, allspice, salt, baking soda and crystallized ginger.

In a separate bowl, stir together the molasses, eggs, brown sugar and butter.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients, beating until smooth. Spread the batter in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch pan.

Streusel Topping:
Using a pastry blender, electric mixer or your fingers, mix together the flour, butter, salt and brown sugar until it's fairly well-blended (some chunks of butter can remain). Mix in the crystallized ginger.

Bake the squares in a preheated 350F oven for 20 minutes.

Sprinkle on the streusel, and bake an additional 25 minutes, until the streusel is a deep, golden brown.

Remove the squares from the oven, and run a knife around the edges of the pan to loosen them. Allow them to cool, then cut into 1 1/2-inch squares.