Description
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional gingerbread cookies, featuring a soft, thick spiced cookie base topped with a creamy spiced cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and sweetened with molasses and brown sugar, these bars bring holiday cheer to any occasion. The easy-to-make bars bake quickly and are finished with a rich frosting that sets beautifully in the fridge.
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 (dark recommended)
- 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 to room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice
- Optional: sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and position the oven rack in the center. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal of the bars later. Set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth and lump-free. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Make Cookie Dough: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. Stir with a large spoon or silicone spatula until no flour streaks remain and the dough is thick and shiny. Transfer this dough into the prepared baking pan and press evenly into a smooth, thin layer.
- Bake Cookie Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 23–26 minutes or until the top is set but still soft, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking as the bars will firm up as they cool. Remove from oven and cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat softened cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until smooth (about 2 minutes). Scrape down the bowl and add confectioners’ sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 2 minutes until creamy and fully combined. Adjust sweetness by adding a pinch of salt if desired.
- Frost Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. If desired, sprinkle with decorative sprinkles. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the frosting set before slicing.
- Slice and Store: Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 18 squares. Store frosted bars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For unfrosted bars, store at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use unsulphured molasses (Grandma’s brand recommended) for best flavor; avoid blackstrap molasses.
- Press the dough evenly in the pan; the layer will be thin but that’s correct.
- Underbaking slightly ensures moist and tender bars.
- Frosting can be customized by adjusting spice levels or sweetness.
- Bars keep well refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
- Optional sprinkles add festive flair but are not necessary.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American