Description
These delicious Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a festive treat that captures all the warm flavors of traditional gingerbread cookies in an easy-to-make bar form. Topped with a creamy spiced cream cheese frosting, these bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings at home.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- small pinch of ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (113g/80ml) unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice
- optional for garnish: sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the Cookie Bars: Combine dry ingredients, mix wet ingredients, then combine all until a thick dough forms. Press into the prepared pan and bake for 23-26 minutes.
- Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, spices, and vanilla until creamy. Spread over cooled bars and refrigerate to set.
- Serve: Lift the bars out of the pan, cut into squares, and store as desired.
Notes
- For a stronger molasses flavor, use dark brown sugar.
- Under-bake the bars slightly for a softer final texture.
- Feel free to customize the frosting with your favorite spices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
