Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Gingerbread Cookie Bars, bursting with classic warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and optional festive sprinkles, these bars are the perfect holiday treat that combine the taste of traditional gingerbread cookies with the ease of a bar dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles, if desired
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the bars.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg until smooth, then add the molasses and mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together for about 4 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat for another 4 minutes.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread bars. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
- Slice into 24 bars. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or freeze for extended storage.
Notes
- Use soft butter for best results.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Gingerbread Cookie Bars, Holiday Dessert, Christmas Treat