As the holiday season approaches, nothing quite captures the spirit like the warm scent of gingerbread filling your kitchen. These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and comforting, with crisp edges that contrast beautifully with a creamy frosting. The blend of spices creates a cozy atmosphere, inviting you to gather around the table with loved ones. This recipe is a personal favorite of mine, and every bite takes me back to the joy of baking with family during the colder months.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These bars offer the perfect combination of festive flavors and textures. The rich, spiced cookie base pairs perfectly with a smooth cream cheese frosting, making them a delightful treat for gatherings or a cozy night at home. The ease of cutting these bars instead of rolling and decorating individual cookies makes this recipe both practical and fun!

Ingredients Needed For Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of your bars, this flour helps achieve that tender yet sturdy texture.
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger: This spice adds warmth and a hint of heat, characteristic of traditional gingerbread.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon: Its sweet and aromatic flavor wonderfully complements the other spices.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: A little nutmeg enhances the warmth of the ginger and cinnamon.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves: Just a touch of this strong spice brings depth to the flavor profile.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: This leavening agent will help your bars rise slightly.
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened): Ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing; it adds richness to the dough.
• 1 cup brown sugar (light or dark): This provides both sweetness and moisture, contributing to a chewy texture.
• 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses: Choose unsulphured for a cleaner taste, adding that signature gingerbread flavor.
• 1 large egg: Acts as a binder, giving structure to your bars.
• 1 large egg yolk (discard the egg white): Adding an extra yolk enriches the texture of the bars.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors beautifully.
• 8 oz brick-style cream cheese (full-fat): For that irresistibly creamy frosting, make sure it’s brick-style for the right consistency.
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar: Adjust based on how sweet and thick you want your frosting.
• 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream (or milk): This helps achieve a smooth, spreadable frosting consistency.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan or lining it with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
4. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add in molasses, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
5. Combine: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined; don’t overmix.
6. Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool completely in the pan.
7. Prepare Frosting: For the cream cheese frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and a little whipping cream until smooth and fluffy.
8. Frost: Once the cookie bars are cool, spread the frosting generously on top. Slice into squares and serve.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars

These bars are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy dessert after a nice meal. Serve them on a festive platter alongside a cup of warm apple cider or a rich cup of hot cocoa. For a bit of fun, you can sprinkle the top with crushed gingerbread cookies or even a light dusting of cinnamon.

How to Store Gingerbread Cookie Bars

To keep these bars fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, which will help maintain their moisture. Just bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Tips to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Adjust Frosting Thickness: If your frosting is too thick, add a bit more cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

Variations and Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend.
• Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter and cream cheese substitutes for the frosting.
• Spiced Variations: Experiment by adding a pinch of black pepper for extra warmth or a touch of orange zest for a refreshing twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar in the frosting?

Yes, you can use brown sugar in the frosting, which will give it a nice caramel flavor. However, it may change the texture slightly, so adjust the powdered sugar accordingly.

How thick should the frosting be?

The frosting should be thick enough to spread but still smooth. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream or milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Can I freeze these cookie bars?

Absolutely! You can freeze the bars either before frosting them or after. Just wrap them well in plastic wrap and foil, and they will last for up to three months.

When is the best time to serve these bars?

These bars are perfect for holiday parties and gatherings, but they also make a delightful treat anytime during the fall and winter months.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the bars in advance. Just store them covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator until you are ready to frost and serve.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Soft, chewy, and comforting Gingerbread Cookie Bars topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, perfect for the holiday season.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American, Holiday

Servings 12 bars

Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Gingerbread Bars

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour The foundation of your bars.
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger Adds warmth and a hint of heat.
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon Sweet and aromatic flavor.
• 0.25 teaspoons ground nutmeg Enhances warmth.
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves Brings depth to the flavor profile.
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda Helps the bars rise.
• 0.75 cups unsalted butter (softened) Adds richness; ensure at room temperature.
• 1 cups brown sugar (light or dark) Provides sweetness and moisture.
• 0.33 cups unsulphured molasses Gives the signature gingerbread flavor.
• 1 large egg Acts as a binder.
• 1 large egg yolk Enriches the bars.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Rounds out the flavors.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz brick-style cream cheese (full-fat) For a creamy frosting.
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar Adjust based on desired sweetness.
• 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream (or milk) For desired frosting consistency.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda. Set aside.
• In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
• Add in molasses, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing until well combined.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined; don’t overmix.

Baking

• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

Frosting

• For the cream cheese frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy.
• Gradually add powdered sugar and a little whipping cream until smooth and fluffy.
• Once the cookie bars are cool, spread the frosting generously on top. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Refrigerate for longer storage and return to room temperature before serving. Tips: Don’t overmix the batter, ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smooth mixing, and adjust frosting thickness as needed.

Keyword cookies, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert Bars, Gingerbread, Holiday Baking