These Gingerbread Cookie Bars capture the quintessential flavors of the holiday season in an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dessert. The soft, spiced gingerbread base paired with silky cream cheese frosting delivers all the traditional gingerbread cookie taste without the hassle of rolling and cutting out shapes. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee on a cold winter day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easier Than Traditional Cookies: All the flavor of gingerbread cookies with none of the rolling, cutting, or decorating hassle.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars stay moist for days and can be frozen for longer storage.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The warm spices in the gingerbread complement the creamy, tangy frosting beautifully.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The familiar flavors appeal to both kids and adults alike.
• Customizable: The basic recipe can be easily adapted with mix-ins or topping variations to suit your preferences.

Ingredients

• Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter for the best incorporation. This creates a tender crumb and rich flavor foundation.
• Brown Sugar: Provides moisture and a deeper molasses flavor than white sugar alone. Dark brown sugar can be substituted for even more flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar and helps create the perfect texture.
• Molasses: The star ingredient that gives gingerbread its distinctive flavor. Use unsulphured molasses for the best results.
• Eggs: Provide structure and moisture. Be sure they’re at room temperature for better incorporation.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract is recommended over imitation.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the bars. For a slightly different texture, you can substitute up to 1/2 cup with whole wheat flour.
• Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg): This warming spice blend is essential to authentic gingerbread flavor. Freshly ground spices will provide the most vibrant flavor.
• Leavening Agents (Baking Soda, Baking Powder): Creates the perfect rise and texture in the bars.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest, most stable frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting without grittiness.
• Milk or Cream: Adjusts the frosting consistency as needed.

Variations

Holiday Spice Version

Enhance the seasonal flavors by adding 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom and a pinch of black pepper to the spice mix. Top the frosted bars with crystallized ginger pieces for an extra festive touch and delightful texture contrast.

Chocolate Gingerbread Bars

Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter before baking. For an even more decadent treat, drizzle the frosted bars with melted dark chocolate or substitute part of the vanilla frosting with chocolate frosting.

Maple Gingerbread Bars

Replace the vanilla extract in both the bars and frosting with maple extract, and consider topping the frosted bars with a sprinkle of chopped pecans and a light drizzle of maple syrup just before serving.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking pan with parchment paper, allowing extra paper to hang over the sides. This overhang will serve as handles later when you want to remove the bars from the pan. A light spray of cooking oil on the pan before adding parchment will help it stay in place.

Step 2: Create the Gingerbread Base

Start by creaming together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. This process incorporates air, which helps create a tender texture. Add the molasses, then eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Finally, stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients to ensure the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed before combining with the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan, using an offset spatula to create a smooth, level surface. The batter will be thick, so take your time with this step. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, but be careful not to overbake. The edges will be slightly firmer than the center, which is perfect. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Step 4: Frost and Serve

Once the bars are completely cool, prepare your cream cheese frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and just enough milk to achieve your desired consistency. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars, then use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire dessert out of the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature for the smoothest batter and frosting.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined to avoid tough bars.
• Check Early: Start checking for doneness at the 18-minute mark as ovens vary. The edges should be set but the center should still be slightly soft.
• Chill for Cleaner Cuts: After frosting, refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before cutting for cleaner, more precise squares.
• Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into measuring cups and level off rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup, which can pack too much flour.
• Enhance the Spices: Toast ground spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding to the batter to enhance their flavor.

How to Serve

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars make a stunning addition to any dessert table, especially during the holiday season. Serve them on a decorative platter with a light dusting of powdered sugar or cinnamon for visual appeal. They pair beautifully with hot beverages like spiced cider, hot chocolate, or coffee with a dash of cinnamon. For a more decadent dessert option, serve slightly warmed with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Make Ahead

These bars are perfect for making in advance, which is ideal for holiday planning. The unfrosted bars can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Once frosted, store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, both frosted and unfrosted bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when properly wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. To serve after freezing, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best texture. The bars may be slightly more dense but will still be delicious.

Why did my frosting turn out runny?

This typically happens when the cream cheese or butter is too warm, or if too much liquid was added. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are softened but still cool to the touch. If your frosting is too runny, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before beating again, or gradually add more powdered sugar.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

You can reduce the granulated sugar by up to 1/4 cup without significantly affecting the texture. However, the brown sugar and molasses contribute to the moisture and classic gingerbread flavor, so it’s best to keep those amounts as listed.

How can I tell when the bars are done baking?

The edges will look set and slightly pull away from the sides of the pan, while a toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter). The center may seem slightly underdone but will firm up as it cools.

Conclusion

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars offer all the comforting flavors of traditional gingerbread cookies in a convenient, crowd-pleasing format. With their perfect balance of warm spices, soft texture, and creamy frosting, they’re sure to become a holiday staple in your home. Whether you’re serving them at a festive gathering, packaging them as gifts, or enjoying them with your family on a cozy winter evening, these bars bring the spirit of the season to every bite. Give this recipe a try and discover a new holiday tradition that combines classic flavors with modern convenience.

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