Description
Delicious gingerbread cookie bars topped with rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Whisk in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars, add sprinkles if desired, then slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting. For best results, don’t overmix the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg