Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Gingerbread cookie bars are the perfect treat for the holiday season! With warm spices, a soft texture, and a sweet frosting layer, these bars bring all the flavors of classic gingerbread cookies in a quicker, easier-to-make format. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, you’ll love how simple and delicious this recipe is. So, read on to find out how you can make these irresistible gingerbread cookie bars for your next holiday gathering or cozy night in!

What Are Gingerbread Cookie Bars?

Gingerbread cookie bars are a soft, chewy, and flavorful dessert that combines the best elements of traditional gingerbread cookies with the convenience of a bar. Made with spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these bars deliver that classic gingerbread flavor in a tender, cake-like consistency. They are perfect for cutting into squares or rectangles and are often topped with a simple glaze or frosting for added sweetness and visual appeal.

Ingredients List for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

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

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have every ingredient on hand or looking to customize the recipe? Here are some substitutions and variations:

• Molasses Substitute: If you don’t have molasses, you can use dark corn syrup or a combination of honey and maple syrup. While the flavor won’t be exactly the same, it will still taste delicious.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour to make these bars gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute coconut oil for butter and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting if you want a dairy-free version.
• Extra Spices: If you love spices, try adding a pinch of allspice or cardamom to enhance the flavor.
• Add-ins: You can add chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries to the batter for extra texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps to make your gingerbread cookie bars from scratch:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Molasses and Egg: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until fully combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
6. Spread in Baking Pan: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
7. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The bars should be set and slightly golden around the edges.
8. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat Cream Cheese and Butter: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, mixing until smooth and creamy.
3. Spread Frosting: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread bars.

How to Cook Gingerbread Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re new to baking, here’s a breakdown to make sure your gingerbread cookie bars turn out perfectly every time:

1. Gather Your Ingredients and Preheat the Oven: Measure everything out before you start. This saves time and helps ensure you don’t miss any ingredients.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients Separately: Combining the flour and spices in a separate bowl ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter, so you get a balanced flavor in every bite.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar Well: This step is essential for achieving a soft texture. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and mix until the butter-sugar mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Add the Molasses Carefully: Molasses is sticky and thick, so make sure it’s fully incorporated with the wet ingredients before adding the dry ones.
5. Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bars dense instead of light and soft.
6. Let Them Cool: Waiting for the bars to cool completely before frosting is key. If they’re even slightly warm, the frosting will melt.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Softening the Butter: Using cold butter will make it hard to cream with the sugar, resulting in a dense texture.
• Overmixing the Batter: Overmixing leads to tough bars, so stir only until the ingredients are combined.
• Skipping the Cooling Step: Frosting warm bars will cause the frosting to melt and slide off.
• Overbaking: Keep an eye on the bars as they bake. Overbaking will make them dry, so check with a toothpick a few minutes before the recommended bake time.

Serving and Presentation Tips

To make these gingerbread cookie bars look as good as they taste, try these serving ideas:

• Cut Evenly: Use a ruler if needed to make even, straight cuts. This will give your bars a neat and professional look.
• Add a Sprinkle of Cinnamon: After frosting, lightly sprinkle some cinnamon over the bars for a decorative touch.
• Top with Festive Sprinkles: For a holiday look, add red, green, or white sprinkles to the frosting.
• Serve with Hot Chocolate or Coffee: Gingerbread flavors pair well with warm drinks, making this a cozy holiday treat.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars

These bars are best served at room temperature. For a special touch, serve them with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. They also make a lovely addition to a dessert platter or a holiday cookie exchange.

Presentation Ideas for Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Holiday-Themed Platter: Arrange the bars on a festive platter with holiday decorations.
• Gift Boxes: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper and place them in small gift boxes for a thoughtful homemade gift.
• Drizzle with Caramel Sauce: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe Tips

• Use Fresh Spices: Fresh spices make a big difference in flavor. If your spices are old, consider buying fresh ones for this recipe.
• Chill the Dough for Extra Thickness: If you want a thicker, more cookie-like texture, refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes before spreading it in the pan.
• Experiment with Frosting Flavors: You can add a hint of maple extract or a pinch of cinnamon to the cream cheese frosting for added depth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the bars up to 2 days ahead and store them in an airtight container. Frost just before serving for the best texture.

Q: Can I freeze gingerbread cookie bars?
A: Absolutely! Freeze the unfrosted bars in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.

Q: Can I use this recipe to make traditional gingerbread cookies?
A: This recipe is best for bars because it has a softer texture. For cookies, you would need a stiffer dough.

Q: How should I store leftover bars?
A: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes, you can double the recipe and bake it in two 9x13 pans or use a larger baking sheet. Adjust the baking time accordingly.

Conclusion

These gingerbread cookie bars are a delicious, easy-to-make dessert that captures all the comforting flavors of gingerbread cookies in a bar form. Perfectly spiced, soft, and topped with a creamy frosting, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering. Plus, they’re versatile and easy to customize with substitutions and variations. Try this recipe for your next holiday event or as a cozy winter treat, and enjoy the festive flavors in every bite. Happy baking!

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