Description
Delightful gingerbread cookie bars with a creamy frosting perfect for festive occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup Butter (The base of our bars, butter adds richness and flavor.)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar (Using brown sugar brings a delightful caramel note to the cookie bars.)
- 1 large Egg (This binds the ingredients together for a soft, chewy texture.)
- 1/2 cup Molasses (Essential for that classic gingerbread taste and extra moisture.)
- 3 1/4 cups Flour (Provides structure to the bars, making them perfectly chewy.)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (This helps the bars rise and become fluffy during baking.)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (Invokes that warm, cozy feeling with every bite.)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger (Adds a zesty kick that makes gingerbread truly special.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Cloves (Brings a deep, aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall warmth.)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (A little salt balances the sweetness beautifully.)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Enhances the flavor profile for a lovely aromatic experience.)
- 1 cup Butter (Use softened butter for a creamy, luscious frosting.)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (Adds a tangy richness that pairs perfectly with the sweet bars.)
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar (The key to an airy, light frosting that spreads easily.)
- Sprinkles (Add a pop of color and fun for festive presentations!)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. While it’s heating, line a 13 x 9 baking dish with parchment paper to ensure an easy release when your cookie bars are ready.
- Cream the butter and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Beat them until fluffy and combined, creating a sweet, light base for your bars.
- Add the egg to your sugary mixture and beat until smooth and well incorporated. The egg will help bind everything together beautifully.
- Pour in the molasses, then beat again until the mixture is fully combined. This adds that signature rich flavor we adore in gingerbread treats.
- Mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this to your wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Press the cookie dough evenly into your prepared baking dish. Bake in your preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the bars completely in the baking dish once out of the oven. Patience is key to achieving the perfect frosting!
- Beat together the softened butter and cream cheese in a bowl for about 4 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue to beat for an additional 4 minutes until fluffy and light.
- Spread the delightful frosting generously over your cooled cookie bars. Top with sprinkles for a festive touch if desired!
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, increase ginger and cinnamon to taste.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg