Description
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars offer a delightful blend of warming spices and creamy frosting, making them a delectable treat for any occasion. Easy to bake and sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 and 1/4 cups 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 unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice
- optional for garnish: sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Position the oven rack in the center. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing for overhang.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Mix this into the dry ingredients until just combined; the dough will be thick.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, pressing it evenly across the bottom.
- Bake for 23–26 minutes or until the top is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cool in the pan for at least 1 hour.
- For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and softened butter on medium-high speed until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla, mixing until creamy. Adjust sweetness as desired.
- Spread the frosting on cooled bars and optionally sprinkle with toppings. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang, cut into squares, and store leftovers properly for freshness.
Notes
These bars can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days when frosted.
If you skip the frosting, the bars can be stored at room temperature.
Use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts when slicing the bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg