Follow Me !
Easy Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
These soft, warmly spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars bring all the cozy flavor of classic gingerbread in an easy-to-slice dessert. With rich molasses, fragrant holiday spices, and creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, they are perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, or a comforting homemade treat.
Prep Time: Not provided
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: Not provided
Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Easy preparation: These bars come together in one baking pan with simple mixing and spreading.
- Classic gingerbread flavor: Molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves create a rich, warmly spiced taste.
- Soft and satisfying: The bars have a tender texture that pairs beautifully with smooth cream cheese frosting.
- Perfect for sharing: Cut them into squares for holiday gatherings, dessert trays, or casual family treats.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for frosting)
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Coat the pan well so the bars release more easily after baking.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first distributes the baking soda and spices evenly throughout the flour.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and evenly blended before you add the dry ingredients.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the finished bars less tender.
Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Use a spatula to push the batter into the corners and create an even surface.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin checking near the shorter end of the baking range to avoid overbaking.
Let the bars cool in the pan. Allow them to cool fully before frosting so the cream cheese frosting stays smooth and does not melt.
For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and ground cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Continue mixing until no lumps remain and the frosting is easy to spread.
Once the bars are cool, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top and cut into squares to serve. For cleaner slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.
How to Serve It
- Serve the frosted bars with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a small pinch of cinnamon before serving.
- Arrange the squares on a dessert platter alongside other holiday cookies and treats.
How to Store It
Because the frosting contains cream cheese, store leftover bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Keep them chilled until ready to serve.
For longer storage, freeze the bars in a freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers if stacking them. Thaw them in the refrigerator before serving. Let refrigerated bars sit briefly at room temperature to soften slightly. Avoid reheating them, as heat can soften or melt the frosting and change the texture.
Helpful Tips
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened before mixing for smoother batter and frosting.
- Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients are incorporated to help keep the bars tender.
- Cool the bars completely before frosting so the topping remains thick and spreadable.
- Use a toothpick in the center to check doneness, since the edges may look finished before the middle is baked.
Optional Variations
- Add a little extra ground cinnamon to the frosting for a stronger warm-spice flavor.
- Stir chopped nuts into the batter for added crunch, if desired.
- Replace part of the frosting with a simple powdered sugar glaze for a lighter topping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I frost the bars while they are still warm?
No. Let the bars cool in the pan first so the cream cheese frosting does not melt or become runny.
How do I know when the gingerbread bars are done?
They are ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare them in advance and store the frosted bars in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve them.
Can I freeze Gingerbread Cookie Bars?
Yes. Store them in a freezer-safe container and thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
Why should I avoid overmixing the batter?
Overmixing can develop the flour and make the finished bars denser instead of soft and tender.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Soft, warmly spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings and sharing.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for frosting)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.
Baking
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan before frosting.
Frosting
- Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and ground cinnamon until smooth.
- Once the bars are cool, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top and cut into squares to serve.
Notes
Store leftover bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze the bars in a freezer-safe container.
