Gingerbread Cookie Bars

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect blend of warm spices, rich molasses, and soft cookie goodness. If you love the flavors of classic gingerbread but want a quicker, easier option, these bars are for you. Topped with a creamy frosting, they’re a must-try for holiday gatherings or cozy nights at home!

One chilly December evening, I decided to bake something that would fill our home with the irresistible aroma of ginger and cinnamon. These Gingerbread Cookie Bars were an instant hit with my family. My husband especially loves the soft, chewy texture, and our kids can’t get enough of the creamy frosting on top. Now, these bars have become a holiday tradition—something we look forward to making and enjoying together each year.

Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Quick and Easy: All the deliciousness of gingerbread without rolling out dough or using cookie cutters.
• Warm, Spiced Flavor: The perfect balance of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses gives these bars a rich, festive flavor.
• Soft and Chewy: These bars are soft in the center with a slightly crisp edge—just the right texture!
• Perfect for Sharing: They’re easy to slice and serve, making them ideal for holiday parties or family gatherings.

Ingredients Notes for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Molasses: Essential for that deep, classic gingerbread flavor. Make sure to use unsulfured molasses for the best taste.
• Spices: Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves give these bars their warm, festive flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to keep the bars soft and chewy.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: Optional but highly recommended! The tangy sweetness complements the spicy cookie bars perfectly.

Recipe Steps for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a large bowl, cream together ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) and ¾ cup brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 large egg and ⅓ cup molasses, mixing until smooth.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Cool and Frost

• Let the bars cool completely in the pan. If desired, frost with a simple cream cheese frosting made from 4 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

• Once frosted, slice the gingerbread cookie bars into squares and serve!

Storage Options

• Room Temperature: Store the gingerbread bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: If frosted, keep the bars refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.

Variations & Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free: Substitute dairy-free butter and cream cheese to make these bars dairy-free.
• Add-ins: Stir in some chopped walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
• Lemon Glaze: Swap the cream cheese frosting for a simple lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

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Course: Dessert

Kitchen: American, holiday

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Gingerbread Bars:
• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• ▢ 3/4 cup brown sugar packed
• ▢ 1/4 cup molasses
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ▢ For the Cream Cheese Frosting optional:
• ▢ 4 oz cream cheese softened
• ▢ 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1-2 tablespoons milk to reach desired consistency

Instructions

• Prepare the Gingerbread Bars:
• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, and molasses until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
• Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Spread in Pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
• Cool: Allow the gingerbread bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
• Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional):
• Mix Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired consistency.
• Frost the Bars: Once the gingerbread bars are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
• Serve: Slice the bars into squares and enjoy!