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Gingerbread Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat


  • Author: TAYLOR HARRISON
  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These gingerbread cookie bars are soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Topped with spiced cream cheese frosting, they’re a holiday favorite that’s quick and easy to make—no rolling or cutting required!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 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 (170g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 6 ounces (170g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners’ sugar
  • Small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, sugars, molasses, egg, and vanilla.
  • Mix wet ingredients into dry until fully combined.
  • Press dough into the prepared pan and bake for 23–26 minutes.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then mix in sugar and spices. Spread over bars.

Notes

  • For easier slicing, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes after frosting.
  • Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American