Description
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a delightful combination of warm spices and rich molasses, topped with a creamy frosting. Perfect for gatherings or a cozy treat at home.
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 (12 tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (113g/80ml) unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 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, & allspice
- optional for garnish: sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix the butter mixture into the flour mixture until no dry flour remains. Press the dough into the prepared pan evenly.
- Bake for 23-26 minutes until the top is set and a toothpick comes out with few moist crumbs; let cool in the pan for at least an hour.
- Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and add sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and cut into squares. Store leftovers tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use dark brown sugar.
If you prefer a spicier taste, feel free to add more ground spices according to your liking.
Store unfrosted bars at room temperature for up to 3 days; frost after refrigerating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg