My easy-to-follow recipe for delicious gingerbread bars is sweet, spiced just right and easy to bake. They feature a luscious cream cheese frosting. Baking gingerbread treats during the holidays is fun, but baking something festive like this is amazing!
Layers of taste
These gingerbread bars are a delicious, sweet, and spicy treat that is sure to become a wintertime favorite. Typically, this dessert consists of a thick layer of ginger-spiced, chewy gingerbread cake that is baked and then topped with a layer of buttery frosting. These flavors come together beautifully to create a delicious treat that is sure to please the senses.
The gingerbread cookie dough with make a great base. It is a classic tasty holiday dessert with all the favorite holiday spices, turned into cake bars.
Why You’ll Love my Gingerbread Squares
- Easy recipe to make and the perfect wintertime activity to do with kids or family. Not only will it make your home smell absolutely scrumptious while they bake, but can also be a fun bonding experience as you bring them together. The chewy texture is a favorite with the all the family.
- Incredible flavor. With cinnamon and ginger spices twirling in every bite, paired with just the right amount of sweetness, you won’t be able to get enough!
- Last but not least, gingerbread bars look beautiful when decorated for the holidays. If you want to go above and beyond, top them off with icing and candies for an Instagram-worthy treat!
What’s needed for the frosting?
- Unsalted butter: Make sure the butter is unsalted and as pure as possible. It has to be softened prior to making the frosting and .
- Cream cheese: Choose a full fat, plain cream cheese without added flavours.
- Powdered sugar: The powdered sugar will need to be sifted to prevent the frosting from forming lumps.
- Clear vanilla extract: Using clear vanilla extract in the frosting will keep it white.
Cutting the bars
Use a cookie cutter or a wet knife to cut the gingerbread cake base into squares. A pizza cutter is doing a good job also, but make sure it is big enough.
How to Store
To store your homemade gingerbread bars, it is best to keep them in an airtight container or freezer-safe Ziploc bag. This will help to prevent them from drying out and becoming stale. For optimal freshness, you can also consider storing these cookies in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat. You may also want to wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper to help keep them fresh.
These Ginger bars are fantastic for the upcoming holiday season! Gather your friends and family, so that you can start baking these special treats together.
You like gingerbread? Also try our Gingerbread Pancake, Gingerbread Whoopie Pies or Gingerbread Coffee.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Creamy Frosting
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup molasses
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg room temperature
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract **see notes
- Sprinkles for decoration optional
Instructions
Bake the Gingerbread Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180° C).
- Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving extra on the ends to use as handles to remove bars easily.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add molasses, eggs, and vanilla and beat until well combined.
- Now add the sifted flour mixture and mix until well combined.
- Press dough into the prepared baking dish. Make sure to press it well into the corners of the baking pan, using your fingers, too.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, but do not overbake.
- Cool in the baking pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.
- Only then lift the parchment paper with the gingerbread cookie base from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
- In the meantime sift powdered sugar. This step is optional, but it makes the frosting creamier.
- Cream together butter and cream cheese with a fork until smooth. Beat in clear vanilla extract using a whisk and mix well.
- Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar until well combined and the frosting is the desired consistency. It should become a fluffy cream cheese frosting.
- Frost the cooled gingerbread base evenly, using a spatula. Decorate the bars with sprinkles or candy of your choice.
- Cut into bars and serve, or store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Equipment
Why do we eat gingerbread at Christmas?
Gingerbread is a popular holiday treat because of its rich, spicy flavor. It has been a staple in many cultures and traditions throughout history, and it is often associated with Christmas due to its association with wintertime and the festive season. Gingerbread cookies are fun to decorate and make for a great activity during the holidays.
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