Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread Bars are soft, chewy, and filled with cozy flavors. Topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting, this easy dessert is perfect for gingerbread lovers!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword christmas recipe, gingerbread bars, gingerbread cookie bars, gingerbread recipe, holiday dessert

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings bars

Calories 373

Author Gayle

Equipment

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter softened
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
⅓ cup unsulfured molasses

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 block (8 ounce) cream cheese softened
½ cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy with an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with fitted paddle attachment, about 2-3 minutes. Add egg and molasses and beat until combined.
Gradually add flour mixture to wet mixture and beat until combined.
Press batter evenly onto the bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are set and center is just slightly underbaked. Let cool completely in pan before frosting and/or cutting into bars. **For bars that are chewy, be sure to keep an eye on your oven at the 15-minute mark. You want the center to be just slightly underbaked, as it will continue to firm up when cooling**
To make the cream cheese frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until fluffy. Spread over cooled bars and cut into squares. Top with holiday sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Gingerbread Bars will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Before serving, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften.
See my tips and tricks for making these Gingerbread Bars above the recipe box.

Nutrition