Description
Delicious gingerbread cookie bars with rich spices and creamy frosting, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 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 unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsulphured or dark molasses
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- Small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
- Combine the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until no dry flour remains. Press the thick dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 23-26 minutes, until top is set but soft. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow bars to cool for at least one hour on a wire rack.
- For frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, spices, and vanilla, and mix until creamy.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars, topping with sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: gingerbread, cookies, dessert, holiday treats