Name: Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; A small pinch of ground black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/3 cup unsulphured or dark molasses; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 1 and 1/2 cups confectioners sugar; A small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional); 1/4 cup sprinkles (for garnish)

Description

Indulge in the cozy warmth of the holiday season with these easy-to-make Gingerbread Cookie Bars, topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A small pinch of ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsulphured or dark molasses
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 and 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
A small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 cup sprinkles (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and salt.
In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until no lumps remain.
Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 23–26 minutes until the top is set with moist crumbs on the toothpick.
Let the bars cool in the pan for 1 hour.
For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla. Blend until creamy.
Spread frosting on the cooled bars and top with sprinkles if desired.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For healthier alternatives, consider using a sugar substitute or coconut cream cheese for frosting.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg