Chewy Gingerbread Bars recipe
These chewy gingerbread cookie bars are a holiday must-have! Infused with the cozy flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, each bite captures the essence of classic gingerbread with a softer, chewier twist. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, these bars are perfect for those looking for a festive treat without the hassle of rolling dough. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just want a taste of the season, these gingerbread bars are easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and sure to become a family favorite.
The magic of these cookie bars lies in the combination of molasses and spices, which bring depth and warmth to each bite. The creamy frosting adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the spicy gingerbread flavor. Each bar is soft and chewy, making them a great alternative to traditional gingerbread cookies, especially if you’re short on time but still want that nostalgic taste of the holidays.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a batch of these festive bars ready in no time. They’re great for sharing, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled cider. Plus, the recipe yields 24 bars, making it ideal for holiday gatherings or as a sweet gift to friends and neighbors!
Key Ingredients for Chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars
- Butter – Adds richness and helps keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Granulated and Dark Brown Sugar – A blend of sugars provides sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Molasses – Essential for the authentic gingerbread taste; it gives depth and warmth to the bars.
- Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves) – This classic blend brings out the festive flavors that define gingerbread.
- All-Purpose Flour – Forms the structure of the bars while keeping them tender.
- Cream Cheese – For a velvety, tangy frosting that balances the spice in the gingerbread.
- Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the frosting without making it gritty, ensuring a smooth finish.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds a subtle sweetness and rounds out the flavor in both the bars and frosting.
Steps to Create Your Perfect Gingerbread Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch pan by lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices, then set aside.
- In another bowl, combine melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses, beating until fluffy.
- Add the egg to the butter mixture, then gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until the dough is smooth.
- Spread the dough evenly in the pan and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Let cool completely.
- While cooling, prepare the frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Once the bars are cool, spread the frosting evenly on top. Sprinkle with festive decorations if desired, then slice and enjoy!
Recipe Tips for Success
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese for the frosting are softened to room temperature. This makes the frosting smoother and easier to spread.
- Do Not Overmix: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined to keep the bars tender.
- Check for Doneness: Overbaking will make the bars less chewy, so keep an eye on them after 15 minutes.
- Cool Before Frosting: Wait until the bars are fully cooled before adding the cream cheese frosting to prevent it from melting.
Recipe Variations
For a twist on these gingerbread cookie bars, try adding a handful of chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the dough before baking for extra texture and flavor. You could also substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier version. For a citrusy note, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the frosting to complement the spices beautifully. These bars also pair wonderfully with warm beverages, making them an ideal dessert to serve alongside spiced tea or coffee during the colder months.
Storing and Serving Leftovers
To keep these gingerbread cookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay delicious for up to five days, and the flavors will even deepen as they sit. If you prefer them at room temperature, simply let them sit out for a few minutes before serving. For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted bars; just thaw them and frost before serving to enjoy them as if they were freshly baked.
Gingerbread Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- ½ cup butter melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 tablespoons butter softened
- 2¼ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Holiday sprinkles optional
Instructions
To Prepare the Gingerbread Cookie Bars:
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- In a stand mixer bowl or in a separate large bowl with a hand mixer, blend the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and molasses on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the egg and mix until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined, then increase to medium speed for about 1 minute until the dough is smooth.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the bars are a darker shade and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing on low to combine. Increase to medium-high speed and beat for 1–2 minutes until the frosting is creamy and smooth.
To Finish:
- Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Sprinkle with holiday decorations if desired. Slice into 24 bars and serve.