Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

If you love the rich, warm spices of gingerbread but are looking for a more convenient and easy-to-make version, these Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect solution. They capture all the traditional flavors of gingerbread—molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves—without the need for rolling out dough or cutting shapes. These bars are soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy layer of frosting for extra sweetness, making them an irresistible treat for the holiday season.

Perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy evening treat, these Gingerbread Cookie Bars will bring the warmth of the holidays straight to your kitchen. Ready to bake? Let’s get started!

What are “Gingerbread Cookie Bars”?

Gingerbread Cookie Bars are essentially a simplified version of classic gingerbread cookies, baked in a single sheet and cut into squares or bars. They are packed with the same festive spices—ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves—but the dough is pressed into a pan and baked as a whole, saving you time in the kitchen. These bars are usually topped with a smooth cream cheese or vanilla frosting, making them even more decadent. The result is a soft, chewy, and spiced cookie bar that’s bursting with holiday flavor.

Ingredients List for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious gingerbread cookie bars:

For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars:

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional but highly recommended):

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Substitutions and Variations

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are easy to customize! Here are some substitutions and variations you can try:

1. Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour to make these bars gluten-free.
2. Dairy-Free: Swap the butter for a plant-based butter alternative and use dairy-free cream cheese if you’re making the frosting.
3. Molasses Substitute: If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute it with dark corn syrup, but the flavor will be slightly less robust. You can also mix brown sugar and honey for a molasses-like flavor.
4. Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste. Add a little more ginger for a spicier bite, or tone down the cloves if you prefer a milder flavor.
5. Frosting Options: Instead of cream cheese frosting, you can top these bars with a simple powdered sugar glaze, royal icing, or even a drizzle of white chocolate.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these easy instructions to create soft, chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars that everyone will love.

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth and combined.
• Add the egg and vanilla extract, and whisk again until the mixture is well incorporated.

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.

4. Spread the Dough into the Pan:

• Press the gingerbread cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. You may need to use the back of a spoon or spatula to smooth the surface.
• The dough will be sticky, so you can lightly dampen your fingers with water or flour them to help press it into the pan.

5. Bake the Bars:

• Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
• Be careful not to overbake, as this can result in dry bars. The bars will continue to set as they cool.
• Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting or cutting.

6. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional):

• While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting.
• In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Increase the speed and beat until the frosting is fluffy.
• Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, and beat for another 30 seconds.

7. Frost the Bars:

• Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the bars.
• If desired, decorate the frosting with holiday sprinkles, cinnamon sugar, or a light dusting of ground cinnamon for a festive touch.

8. Slice and Serve:

• Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares or rectangles. You can cut them into larger squares for a more decadent dessert or into smaller bars for bite-sized treats.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few tips to help you avoid common mistakes when making Gingerbread Cookie Bars:

1. Overmixing the Dough: After adding the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can cause the bars to become dense and tough.
2. Overbaking: Keep a close eye on the baking time. If the bars are overbaked, they will lose their soft, chewy texture.
3. Skipping the Cooling Step: Let the bars cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting into a gooey mess.

Serving and Presentation Tips

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are beautiful on their own, but a few serving and presentation ideas can make them even more special:

• Festive Decorations: Add holiday-themed sprinkles, edible glitter, or drizzle with a thin glaze of white chocolate for a more festive look.
• Garnish with Cinnamon: Lightly dust the top of the frosted bars with ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced finish.
• Serve with Coffee or Tea: These bars pair wonderfully with a warm drink like spiced chai tea, hot cocoa, or coffee.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars

These bars are versatile and can be served in various ways:

• Casual Snacking: Serve them as a cozy afternoon snack with a warm beverage, or pack them into lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
• Holiday Dessert: Arrange them on a holiday dessert platter alongside other seasonal cookies like sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, or peppermint bark.
• Gift Boxes: Cut the bars into smaller squares, wrap them in parchment or wax paper, and place them in decorative holiday tins or boxes for gifting.

Presentation Ideas for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Stacked Bars: Stack the cookie bars in a neat pile on a decorative plate or cake stand for a simple, elegant presentation.
• Decorative Plating: Line a holiday-themed platter with parchment paper, and arrange the bars in rows, perhaps garnished with cinnamon sticks or small sprigs of evergreen.
• Drizzle with Glaze: For a professional bakery-style finish, drizzle the top of the bars with a simple powdered sugar glaze or melted white chocolate.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe Tips

1. Chill the Dough: If you want a denser, slightly chewier texture, chill the dough for 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan.
2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
3. Store the Bars: These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to a week. If storing in the fridge, allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make these Gingerbread Cookie Bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the bars up to 2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container, and frost them just before serving for the freshest result.

Can I freeze Gingerbread Cookie Bars?
Yes! You can freeze the bars (unfrosted) for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.

Can I use different frosting?
Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting complements the warm spices beautifully, you can also use a simple vanilla buttercream, whipped cream, or a powdered sugar glaze.

What can I substitute for molasses?
If you don’t have molasses, you can use dark corn syrup, honey, or maple syrup, but keep in mind that these substitutes will slightly alter the flavor.

Conclusion

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect way to enjoy the rich, warm flavors of gingerbread without the fuss of rolling out dough and cutting shapes. With their soft, chewy texture and the option to add a luscious cream cheese frosting, these bars are guaranteed to become a holiday favorite. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, giving them as a gift, or simply enjoying them with a warm drink by the fire, these bars are a must-try treat. Give this recipe a go, and bring the magic of gingerbread to your kitchen! Happy baking!

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