Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re dreaming of all the cozy, festive flavors of gingerbread but long for the ease of a crowd-pleasing bar cookie, these Gingerbread Cookie Bars will be your new holiday best friend. Picture everything you love about traditional gingerbread—molasses warmth, aromatic spices, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness—transformed into soft, chewy bars with a dreamy spiced cream cheese frosting. This recipe is swoon-worthy for cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or for when you just want to curl up with a coffee and a square of pure comfort. Let’s bake some magic together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Gingerbread Cookie Bars lies in the simple pantry staples that turn into something truly unforgettable. Each ingredient plays an important part, from spices that bring that classic gingerbread vibe to rich molasses for irresistible depth. Here’s what you’ll need and why you need it:

• All-purpose flour: Gives the bars structure while keeping the texture tender and soft.
• Baking soda: Helps the bars puff up in the oven for that perfect bite.
• Ground ginger: Stars as the bold, spicy highlight in every bite.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and classic holiday coziness.
• Ground allspice: Offers a subtle, peppery sweetness that rounds out the flavor.
• Ground cloves: Packs an aromatic punch with deep, spicy notes.
• Ground nutmeg: Brings an extra layer of warmth to the spice mix.
• Ground black pepper (small pinch): It’s a secret weapon for enhancing all those sweet spices—don’t skip it!
• Salt: Balances the sweet and boosts every other flavor.
• Unsalted butter (melted): Creates that irresistible chewy, rich bite you want in every bar.
• Brown sugar (light or dark): Go for dark for a richer, deeper molasses flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough without overpowering the spice.
• Molasses (unsulphured or dark): Absolutely key for real gingerbread flavor—choose a classic like Grandma’s brand.
• Egg (room temperature): Binds the dough and helps everything come together beautifully.
• Pure vanilla extract: Smooths out the spices and adds sweet depth.
• Cream cheese (full-fat, brick style): For frosting that’s rich, tangy, and ultra-creamy.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Helps the frosting whip up fluffy and light.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to spreadable perfection.
• Pinches of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice: Supercharges the frosting with extra holiday cheer.
• Pure vanilla extract (for frosting): Lends lovely fragrance and pulls all the flavors together.
• Sprinkles (optional): Adds festive flair to the top and a pop of color—who could resist?

How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and setting the rack in the center position—this helps your bars bake evenly. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to let it hang over the sides. This little trick makes it a breeze to lift your finished bars out for frosting and slicing. Set aside while you whip up your dough!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and salt. Give this a good, thorough whisk to ensure every bite is loaded with balanced, spicy flavor. This step is what makes Gingerbread Cookie Bars taste so memorable.

Step 3: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, blend your melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and glorious, sticky molasses until smooth and lump-free. Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract so the mixture is glossy and fully combined. That molasses aroma? Absolutely intoxicating!

Step 4: Combine and Make the Dough

Pour your wet ingredients into the dry bowl and mix gently with a large spoon or silicone spatula. The dough will be thick and shiny, and it’s normal for your arm to get a mini workout mixing it all together! Stir just until no streaks of flour remain—over-mixing can make the bars dense.

Step 5: Spread and Bake

Scoop your dough into the prepared pan. It may seem like it won’t cover the whole pan, but trust the process! Press and smooth it gently into an even layer (a spatula or even clean hands work great). Bake for 23 to 26 minutes, or until the top is set but the middle still looks a bit soft—don’t overbake, as chewy bars are what we’re after. Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least an hour.

Step 6: Whip Up the Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Once the bars are cool, make your frosting. Beat together cream cheese and softened butter until super smooth, then add in the confectioners’ sugar, spices, and vanilla. Start on low (no sugar clouds, please), then whip it up on high for extra fluffiness. Taste and add a pinch of salt if you want to cut the sweetness.

Step 7: Frost, Decorate, Slice, and Serve

Spread the frosting evenly over your cooled bars. Sprinkle with festive sprinkles if you’re feeling extra joyful. For cleaner slices (and less frosting mess), pop the pan in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Lift the bars out using your parchment overhang, cut into squares, and enjoy your homemade Gingerbread Cookie Bars triumph!

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Garnishes

Dress up your Gingerbread Cookie Bars with an extra pinch of cinnamon or a scattering of classic holiday sprinkles on top. If you want to make them extra pretty, a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar or even a few candied ginger pieces adds a touch of charm and plenty of flavor!

Side Dishes

These bars shine alongside a mug of hot cocoa, strong coffee, or cozy spiced tea. For a dessert plate or party tray, pair them with fresh-cut fruit, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a handful of roasted nuts for a sweet-and-savory bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Gingerbread Cookie Bars into mini squares for a holiday cookie platter, or use cookie cutters to turn them into festive shapes. You can even stack and wrap them up in parchment and ribbon for a heartfelt edible gift. They look especially cute tucked into a holiday tin shared with friends or neighbors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Gingerbread Cookie Bars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to five days—if they last that long! The cream cheese frosting stays fresh and tangy, and the bars taste just as good, if not better, the next day.

Freezing

You have two options: freeze the bars before frosting (wrapped tightly) for up to three months, or freeze frosted, cut bars in a single layer. Just separate with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking, and then store in an airtight container until your next craving for gingerbread strikes.

Reheating

If you love a slightly warm, gooey bar, microwave an unfrosted Gingerbread Cookie Bar for just 10-15 seconds. For frosted bars, let them sit at room temperature for a bit before enjoying—the flavors really shine when they aren’t ice-cold!

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. Keep in mind the texture may vary ever-so-slightly, but the flavors will still be irresistible.

Is it possible to use blackstrap molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is much more robust and bitter than regular unsulphured or dark molasses, so it will overpower the bars. Stick to Grandma’s or another unsulphured brand for the perfectly balanced gingerbread taste.

Can I make Gingerbread Cookie Bars without the cream cheese frosting?

Of course! The bars are perfectly delicious all on their own if you prefer something a bit lighter or are catering to a dairy-free crowd. Just skip the frosting step or try a vegan buttercream alternative.

How do I store Gingerbread Cookie Bars if they’re unfrosted?

If you opt to leave off the frosting, you can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the fridge for a week. They’re incredibly sturdy and perfect for holiday gifting in this form!

Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?

You sure can! Bake in two pans for best results, as doubling in one pan can lead to uneven baking. This recipe is always a hit at parties—just be ready for recipe requests!

Final Thoughts

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars were made for sharing—whether you serve them at a family holiday gathering or tuck them into lunchboxes as a wintry treat. With their chewy texture, rich depth of flavor, and swoon-worthy frosting, they’re bound to become a new seasonal tradition. I hope you’ll whip up a batch and let them bring a little extra warmth and joy to your table!

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