Gingerbread Bars
Chewy gingerbread bars with a luscious cream cheese frosting are the ultimate gingerbread treats for the Christmas season! Packed with warming spices, blackstrap molasses, and a classic gingerbread flavor, they’re the perfect holiday recipe for cozy, festive baking.
Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
Bars
- ½ cup salted butter melted
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (282g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Frosting
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup salted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Festive sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with a parchment paper sling.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.½ cup salted butter, ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar, ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, ⅓ cup molasses, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, and cloves. Stir until evenly combined and no streaks of flour remain.2 cups (282g) all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Press the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until set around the edges and the center loses its glossy sheen. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and combined. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix on low speed until it comes together to make a smooth, creamy frosting.4 ounces full-fat cream cheese, ¼ cup salted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Spread the frosting on the cooled bars, then sprinkle with your favorite holiday sprinkles. Cut into squares and serve.Festive sprinkles
Notes
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain the freshness of the cream cheese frosting.
- Freeze: Wrap the bars in parchment paper and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months.
- Reheat: Gently warm unfrosted bars in a 300°F oven for a few minutes, or enjoy them cold straight from the fridge.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the bars a day or two in advance, storing them unfrosted, then add the cream cheese frosting and sprinkles right before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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