Gingerbread Bars

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These Gingerbread Bars are chewy, perfectly spiced cookie bars topped vanilla cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. Easy and delicious Christmas dessert for the whole family!

I make these bars every year, along with my Rolo Pretzel Bites and Oreo Fudge. They are so easy and very festive!

Aside from classic cookies and our favorite candies and fudge, cookie bars are a must for Christmas parties and get-togethers. They are a great alternative if you need a treat fast or if you are not feeling like making individual gingerbread men or drop cookies. These Gingerbread Bars are perfectly spices and chewy. I top them with sweet vanilla cream cheese frosting and of course, green and red sprinkles!

Ingredients

• unsalted butter
• granulated sugar
• molasses
• large egg
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger
• salt
• cream cheese
• vanilla extract
• powdered sugar

Instructions

• Cream butter and sugar, add egg, vanilla and molasses and mix in well.
• Add whisked dry ingredients and stir in until the dough is thick and sticky and all flour is incorporated.
• Spread the mixture in 13″ x 9″ pan, lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. The bars will puff up during baking and deflate while cooling.
• Next, whip up the cream cheese frosting, spread over cooled bars and dress up the treat with red, white and green sprinkles or mini gingerbread man candy.

Storing

Since they are made with molasses and topped with cream cheese frosting, I recommend storing these bars in a container with lid, in the fridge. Before serving, let them come to room temperature.

Freezing

Yes! Bake the cookie bars, cool completely and do not frost. Wrap in saran wrap and place in a freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 4 months. Frost and decorate before serving.

More holiday desserts:

• Molasses Cookies
• Rocky Road Fudge
• Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bites
• Pecan Pie

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

5 from 7 votes

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Gingerbread Bars

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

18 mins

Total Time

28 mins

 

These Gingerbread Bars are chewy, perfectly spiced cookie bars topped vanilla cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles. Easy and delicious Christmas dessert for the whole family!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gingerbread bars

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 771 kcal

Author: Anna

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature 12 tablespoons
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses I used Grandma's molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

for the frosting:

• 6 tablespoons cream cheese soft
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter soft
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cup powdered sugar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line a 13" x 9" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter for 30 seconds with electric mixer. Add sugar and beat for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
4. Add egg and molasses and beat on medium low speed just until combined.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Gradually add to the sugar molasses mixture and beat on low until combined.
6. Spread cookie dough in prepared pan. Spread evenly.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the top appears dry. The bars will puff up during baking and deflate while cooling.
8. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix well. It should be fluffy and thick.
2. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Dress up with festive sprinkles. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe Notes

1. Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition Facts

Gingerbread Bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 771 Calories from Fat 324

% Daily Value*

Fat 36g55%

Saturated Fat 22g138%

Cholesterol 124mg41%

Sodium 444mg19%

Potassium 287mg8%

Carbohydrates 106g35%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 73g81%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 1175IU24%

Calcium 65mg7%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe was originally published on December 9th, 2017 and updated on November 30th, 2019.