Gingerbread Bars

We can't ignore gingerbread desserts during the Christmas season, can we?  These soft and chewy Gingerbread Bars are so yummy and made with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses along with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves!

Layered with a delicious creamy cream cheese buttercream frosting, these are totally irresistible!

So, I guess this is my way of getting out of making a gingerbread house. 🙂  I make gingerbread cookie bars instead and still get to enjoy the taste of gingerbread flavor!

These are the perfect easy holiday treat.

Ginger is one of our favorite holiday spices to bake with. It has a low-key spicy vibe along with strong flavor that pairs perfectly with other warming spices like ground cinnamon and cloves.

I topped these with a lovely cream cheese frosting, because cream cheese frosting tastes amazing with these gingerbread cookie bars!

You could even add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the frosting to take it up a notch.  If you've ever had lemon and gingerbread together, it is amazing, giving it a fresh, tangy flavor!!  This Starbuck's Gingerbread Loaf has a delicious lemon cream cheese frosting and it was so delish!  You may want to try it!

What Kind of Molasses Should I use?

You need to use unsulfured molasses, it should be clearly stated somewhere on the label. Avoid using blackstrap molasses, which is quite intense. The brightness of the gingerbread color depends on the brand of molasses you use, so your gingerbread cookie bars may be darker or brighter in the end.

Ingredients You Need

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

• unsalted butter, softened
• light brown sugar, packed
• egg
• molasses
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• cinnamon
• ground ginger
• cloves (if you don't have, it's fine to leave out)
• salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

• unsalted butter, softened
• cream cheese, softened
• powdered sugar
• vanilla extract
• sprinkles, if desired
• pinch of salt

Add some zing and freshness to your cream cheese frosting by adding tablespoon of lemon juice for tangy cream cheese frosting if desired.

How to Make Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Using mixer, combine softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Then, add in the egg and beat until smooth. Follow with molasses and beat until well combined.
• Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and mix until combined. 
• Press cookie dough into baking dish. Cookie dough will be sticky, so lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, then press the mixture down into the pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla and beat an additional 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
• Spread frosting over cooled bars. 
• Add sprinkles if desired.
• Store in airtight container for up to one week.

To add a little more spice, feel free to add other spices. 

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg pairs very well with ginger, so it's also a another great spice to add in, while you're adding in spices!  

These gingerbread bars with cream cheese frosting are a such an easy holiday treat that can be made in 30 minutes or less, then add some frosting and you're good to go!  Let's bake some Gingerbread Bars!

More Christmas Cookies & Bars!

• Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
• Christmas Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
• Easy Applesauce Bars
• Reese's Pieces Magic Bars
• Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars
• Spiced Molasses Cookie Cream Pies
• Red Velvet Cookie Bars
• Soft and Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
• Gingerdoodles

Gingerbread Bars

Kim Lange

We can't ignore gingerbread desserts during the Christmas season, can we?  These Gingerbread Bars are so yummy and made with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses along with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves!  Layered with a delicious creamy cream cheese buttercream frosting, these are totally irresistible!

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Course Dessert

Calories

Ingredients

  

Gingerbread Bars

• ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup molasses
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 8 oz cream cheese softened
• 2 -3 cups powdered sugar add more if needed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk of choice
• Pinch of salt
• sprinkles if desired

Instructions

 

Gingerbread Bars

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• Using mixer, combine softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add in the egg and beat until smooth. Add in the molasses and beat until well combined.
• Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt and mix until combined.
• Cookie dough will be sticky, so lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, then press the mixture down into the pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, approx 4-5 minutes. Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla and beat an additional 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
• Spread frosting over cooled bars.
• Add sprinkles if desired.

Notes

• Can store in airtight container for up to one week, preferably refrigerated.
• To add a little more spice, feel free to add in ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, if you wish.

Keyword bars, christmas, cookies, cream cheese frosting, ginger, gingerbread

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