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Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 140 reviews

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars combine the warm, spicy flavors of traditional gingerbread with a moist, chewy texture. Topped with a rich and creamy cream cheese frosting, they make a perfect holiday treat that’s easy to prepare in a single pan. With a blend of aromatic spices and molasses, these bars deliver festive flavors and decadent sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Cookie Dough

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/3 cup unsulphered molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk (discard the egg white)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz brick-style cream cheese (full-fat)
  • 2–3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it with non-stick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda until evenly combined to ensure your spices and leavening agent distribute well in the dough.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the bars.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the molasses and vanilla extract until incorporated, then add the whole egg and egg yolk, mixing thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients smoothly.
  5. Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, about half at a time, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
  6. Transfer Dough to Pan: Spread or gently press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 pan. Lightly spray your hands with non-stick spray if pressing by hand to avoid sticking.
  7. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges start to pull away from the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which is important for the frosting to set properly.
  9. Prepare Frosting – Beat Butter: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until it becomes fluffy and creamy, which forms the base of a smooth frosting.
  10. Add Cream Cheese: Beat in the full-fat cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a rich frosting.
  11. Incorporate Powdered Sugar and Cream: With the mixer on low, gradually beat in powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of whipping cream or milk, until you reach your desired sweetness and consistency.
  12. Frost the Bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread bars and optionally decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch.

Notes

  • For a softer texture, do not overbake; the bars should be slightly underbaked to remain moist.
  • Molasses is key for the authentic gingerbread flavor; use unsulphered for better taste.
  • You can store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Allow the bars to cool fully before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Optional: Add chopped nuts or crystallized ginger into the batter for additional texture and flavor.

Keywords: Gingerbread bars, holiday dessert, cream cheese frosting, gingerbread cookie bars, festive treat, molasses cookies

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars-recipe/