Belgium Bars

Recipe from 100 Favourite Cakes and Slices
Images by Tammy

This is a delicious slice/bar to eat with friends for afternoon tea. I have passed this recipe on to many of my friends and they have all loved it and found it truely addictive! It is a very sweet slice and I have always found it to taste similarly to gingerbread, but maybe that is just me. You'll have to try it and tell me what you think!

Ingredients:
Base:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 200g softened butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups plain flour

Filling:

• approx. 1/2 cup jam (of your choice)

Icing:

• 2 cups sifted icing sugar
• 25g softened butter
• approx. 3 tblsp lemon juice or water
• red jelly crystals or coloured sugar

Method:
Grease or line with baking paper a large baking tin. For base, measure the brown sugar, softened butter and egg into a large bowl or food processor. Mix well, then add all the dry ingredients except for the flour. Mix again then add and mix in half the flour. Add the remaining flour and mix well. Divide dough into 2 parts, refridgerate in a plastic bag until firm enough to roll. Roll each half out to fit your pan (if you like, work the dough between sheets of floured waxed paper or plastic to prevent sticking).

Place the first sheet in the prepared baking pan and neaten the edges. Spread it with a thin layer of jam, then cover with the second sheet of dough. Prick in a few places.

Bake for 20-30 minutes until the centre is firm when gently pressed. Cool, ice as below and cut into bars.

For icing (if desired), mix icing sugar, butter and enough lemon juice or water to make it fairly soft. Spread evenly over the cooked mixture. If you like, sprinkle a few jelly crystals (or some coloured sugar) on the icing in rows.