These Gingerbread Bars topped with sweet cream cheese frosting are the perfect festive treat for friends, neighbors, and holiday parties.
Are you ready to fill your home with the warm, inviting aroma of gingerbread? One of my favorite parts of the holidays is little gingerbread men. I love making them, eating them, and the aroma of gingerbread that fills my home.
Today, I’m bringing you a recipe for Gingerbread Bars that’s sure to become a holiday favorite. These bars combine the classic, spicy gingerbread flavor with a rich cream cheese frosting, creating a perfect harmony of taste and texture.
Imagine biting into a soft, chewy bar, topped with luscious frosting, each bite taking you back to cherished holiday memories. Whether for a cozy family gathering or a festive Christmas party, these Gingerbread Bars are a delightful treat everyone will love!
Making Gingerbread Bars is a wonderful way to dive into the holiday season. With their rich flavors and irresistible cream cheese frosting, these bars are sure to bring joy and warmth to your festive celebrations.
They’re not just a treat; they’re a symbol of the holiday spirit, bringing together the classic flavors we all love in a form that’s both new and exciting.
So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and let’s create some holiday magic in your kitchen with these amazing Gingerbread Bars!
Common Questions About Gingerbread Bars
Can I Use Dark Brown Sugar Instead of Light?
Yes, dark brown sugar will work well and add a deeper molasses flavor to your bars. This is really just about preference, so if you want a darker or lighter sugar, you go for it!
What’s the Best Way to Cut the Bars?
For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean after each cut. The only thing you might do more is moisten the knife. I love finding little tricks like these to make things go smoother!
Can I Make These Bars Gluten-Free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make them suitable for everyone. The texture and flavor will likely be very different. You won’t know till you try it out the first time, though!
Storage
These tasty treats are a big part of my holiday traditions. Gingerbread cookies remind me of my younger years, when my grandma would make homemade gingerbread houses. Good times!
Refrigerator
Store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
Tips
These chewy cookie bars will be a big hit, wherever you serve them. I love having them out on the counter for the kids. I’m sure they’ll be your new favorite holiday treat!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature.
- Even Spreading: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the dough evenly in the pan.
- Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Creamy Frosting: Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy for the perfect creamy texture.
- Add Holiday Sprinkles: For an extra festive touch, sprinkle some holiday-themed sprinkles on top of the frosting.
Ingredients
These ingredients bring out all kinds of memories. The days of Christmas gone by are filled with these scents and flavors. I love it!
- All-purpose flour
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground cloves
- Light brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Molasses
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Cream cheese
- Confectioner’s sugar
How to Make Gingerbread Bars
Don’t worry, this is an easy recipe. Soon, you’ll have chewy gingerbread bars to share with friends and family. That is, if you want to share them. I won’t judge, haha!
Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving excess on the ends. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl beat the butter until fluffy.
- Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy and well combined.
- Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
- Press the dough into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy.
- Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar until the desired consistency is reached.
- Mix in the vanilla.
Decorate
- Using the parchment paper as handles, remove the bars from the pan and cut.
- Spread the frosting onto the top of the bars.
- Store in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need for Gingerbread Bars
No cookie cutters are needed here. That’s one reason this recipe is nice. Sometimes you just want to go the simple route and let the pan do the work.
- 13×9 baking dish
- Parchment paper
- Medium bowl for dry ingredients
- Large bowl for wet ingredients
- Electric mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Offset spatula or knife for spreading the frosting
- Wire rack for cooling
What to Serve With Gingerbread Bars
Make sure you save that recipe card for later. And take notes! Baking is a process of experimentation. For some, that’s the best part!
- Pair these bars with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy snack.
- Serve alongside a selection of other holiday treats like Christmas cookies or a gingerbread loaf.
- Enjoy as a dessert after a festive meal with family and friends.
Why You Should Make Gingerbread Bars
Whether you’re bringing them to holiday parties or just enjoying them in the comfort of your home on a cold winter’s day, these chewy gingerbread cookie bars will hit the spot.
- Easy and Quick: A simple, straightforward recipe that’s perfect for busy holiday baking.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both kids and adults, these bars are a hit at any gathering.
- Festive Flavors: Packed with favorite holiday spices for that quintessential gingerbread taste.
- Versatile: Great for dessert, a snack, or even as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Variations and Add-Ins for Gingerbread Bars
Here are some great ideas for adding a little something extra to your bars. Let me know how it all goes in the comments!
- Add Chocolate: Mix in dark chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist.
- Nutty Flavor: Sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top of the frosting.
- Citrus Zest: Add orange or lemon zest to the batter for a fresh, zesty flavor.
- Spice It Up: Increase the amount of ginger or add a pinch of black pepper for extra spice.
- Maple Syrup: Drizzle maple syrup over the frosting for added sweetness.
If you love this easy bar recipe, you’re going to love these other bars too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Gingerbread Recipes
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Gingerbread Bars
Ingredients
Bars
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon plus more for dusting if desired
- ¾ teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar light, packed
- 1 cup butter melted and cooled slightly (2 sticks) unsalted
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 egg room temperature – large
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ½ cup butter softened – (1 stick) unsalted
- 3 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar sifted **see notes up to 4 cups
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract **see notes
Instructions
Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving excess on the ends. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl beat the butter until fluffy.
- Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy and well combined.
- Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition.
- Press the dough into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until fluffy.
- Gradually add the confectioner’s sugar until the desired consistency is reached.
- Mix in the vanilla.
Decorate
- Using the parchment paper as handles, remove the bars from the pan and cut.
- Spread the frosting onto the top of the bars.
- Store in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Notes
Equipment
- 1 9×13 baking pan
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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