If you’re anything like me, there’s something irresistibly cozy about the warm spices and sweet tang of a classic gingerbread treat. Today, I want to share my favorite Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe—these bars are a total game-changer when you want that perfect blend of spicy gingerbread and luscious creamy frosting. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving a sweet, festive pick-me-up, you’ll find these bars hit all the right notes. Trust me, your kitchen is about to smell amazing, and your family will be begging for seconds.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The warm spices blend harmoniously with rich molasses, creating that authentic gingerbread taste you’ve been craving.
Creamy Frosting Finish: The tangy cream cheese frosting adds a luscious, soft touch that makes every bite melt in your mouth.
Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a pro baker—this recipe is straightforward, quick, and forgiving.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for these bars, and I bet yours will too, whether it’s for a party or an everyday treat.

A close-up of a square dessert bar on a white round plate placed on a white marbled surface with a red cloth nearby. The dessert has two layers: a thick, dense brown base with a slightly textured surface, and a thick, fluffy white layer of frosting on top. The frosting is decorated with small, colorful sprinkles in red, white, blue, and brown, including tiny round balls, thin rod-shaped sprinkles, and little gingerbread-shaped pieces. More sprinkles are scattered around the plate and on the surface nearby. In the background, a white plate holds several more pieces of the same dessert. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, gingerbread bars, holiday dessert recipes, spicy gingerbread treats, easy festive cookie bars

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting your ingredients right is the first step to baking these delicious Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting. The mix of spices, molasses, and brown sugar all work together to create that deep, nostalgic gingerbread flavor you love. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best ingredients.

Flat lay of a few large cubes of unsalted butter, a small white bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, one large whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of dark molasses, a small white bowl heaped with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing baking soda powder, another small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a small white bowl with fine salt, a few blocks of cream cheese, a small white bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white bowl with clear vanilla extract, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, gingerbread bars, holiday dessert recipes, spicy gingerbread treats, easy festive cookie bars

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness perfectly, plus it creamens beautifully with the sugar.
Light Brown Sugar: I love this for its subtle molasses flavor which adds depth without overpowering the spices.
Egg: Make sure it’s at room temperature to mix evenly and keep the bars tender.
Molasses: This is what really makes the gingerbread sing—choose a good quality unsulfured molasses for the best taste.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie bars—measure carefully for the perfect texture.
Baking Soda: This helps give the bars a little rise and lightness without losing that dense cookie bar feel.
Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves: Fresh spices make all the difference; if you can grind them fresh, even better.
Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
Cream Cheese: For the frosting, softened cream cheese gives you that silky, tangy finish.
Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that fluffy texture in your frosting.
Vanilla Extract: A splash brightens the frosting and rounds out the flavor.
Sprinkles (Optional): I love adding these for a fun festive touch, especially if you’re making these for a party or holiday.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to mix things up with these Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe quite a bit depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs—there’s lots of room for creative tweaks.

Spice It Up: Sometimes I double the ginger or add a pinch of nutmeg for an extra warm kick—it really wakes up the flavor.
Gluten-Free Option: Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free baking blend; just keep an eye on the texture and add a tablespoon of flaxseed meal for binding if needed.
Frosting Fun: Instead of cream cheese frosting, try a simple vanilla glaze or even a cinnamon buttercream for a twist.
Seasonal Add-Ins: Chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or mini chocolate chips stirred into the dough take these bars to a whole new level.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix Your Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (that way it’s ready when your dough is mixed). Line a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper—this little trick makes it so much easier to lift out the bars once baked. Now, cream together your softened butter and brown sugar until they’re fluffy and light—that’s key for a tender crumb. Then, beat in the egg and molasses until everything is smooth and velvety. I like to pause here and give it a quick taste—it’s the rich molasses sweetness that gets me every time!

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients and Bake

Next, sift or whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl before adding it all to the wet mixture. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps the spices distribute evenly—trust me, it makes a difference! Stir everything until just combined; don’t overmix or the bars might get tough. Press the dough evenly into your prepared baking dish—using a spatula or your hands works great. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges feel set and the center is just firm to the touch. Let them cool completely—I know it’s tempting, but your frosting will glide on so much smoother this way.

Step 3: Whip Up That Cream Cheese Frosting

While your bars cool, get started on the frosting. Beat together the softened butter and cream cheese for about 4 minutes until it’s super smooth and creamy. This takes a little patience, but I promise it’s worth it for that silky texture. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat again for another 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Spread the frosting generously over the cooled bars, smoothing it out with an offset spatula or back of a spoon. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle a handful of colorful sprinkles on top—my kids always love this step!

Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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Don’t Skip the Cooling: Frosting over warm bars? It’ll turn runny fast. Patience here means thick, luscious frosting every time.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Soft butter, cream cheese, and egg really blend better and give you that silky texture.
Even Layering: Press dough firmly and evenly in the pan to ensure even baking and neat bars.
Fresh Spices Matter: I learned the hard way that old spices make a dull gingerbread—fresh ones brighten the whole batch.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows several square dessert bars arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two distinct layers: a thick, dark brown base layer with a dense, fudgy texture, and a top layer of smooth, creamy white frosting. The frosting is decorated with colorful sprinkles, including red and white jimmies, small round red and light blue candy balls, tiny light blue confetti dots, and little brown gingerbread-shaped sprinkles scattered evenly across the surface. The bars are cut in neat squares, and the close-up angle highlights the contrast between the dark base and bright frosting with festive decorations. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting, gingerbread bars, holiday dessert recipes, spicy gingerbread treats, easy festive cookie bars

Garnishes

For serves that look as good as they taste, I love topping these bars with a sprinkle of festive colored nonpareils or crushed ginger snaps for a crunchy contrast. Sometimes, a dusting of cinnamon powder on the frosting adds a touch of warmth, and you can never go wrong with a few candied ginger bits scattered on top if you want an extra punch of gingery goodness.

Side Dishes

These bars are pretty much dessert magic on their own, but if you’re serving up a spread for friends or family, pair them with a cup of hot chai tea or spiced coffee to match the warm flavors. For a holiday brunch, they go wonderfully with a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple but indulgent combo.

Creative Ways to Present

I once served these Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe layered in a trifle with whipped cream and crystallized ginger for a holiday party—it was a huge hit! You can also cut them into festive shapes using cookie cutters before frosting for a playful effect. Wrapping individual bars in parchment and tying with twine makes charming gift treats too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh and firm. They usually keep well for up to one week, but to be honest, mine rarely last that long! If you want to keep them soft, make sure the container is sealed tightly to prevent drying out.

Freezing

If you’re planning ahead, freezing these bars is a lifesaver. I freeze them both before frosting and after—just wrap the unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in a freezer bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting. For the frosted bars, freeze covered in a container, and thaw similarly. Just remember to keep them wrapped well so frosting doesn’t dry out or collect freezer smells.

Reheating

I typically serve these bars cold or at room temperature, but if you want a warm bite, briefly microwave a piece for about 10 seconds (frosting and all) for a soft, cozy treat. Don’t overheat or you’ll melt the frosting completely—and while tasty, it’s messier!

FAQs

Can I make these Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe vegan?

Great question! You can make a vegan version by substituting the butter for vegan butter or coconut oil, using a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia + 3 tbsp water per egg), and selecting a dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting. The texture might vary slightly, but the spicy flavor will still shine through beautifully.
Why are my cookie bars dry or crumbly?

That often happens if you overbake the bars or use too much flour. Keep an eye on them and remove from the oven as soon as the edges set but the center still looks slightly soft. Also, measure your flour by spooning it into your measuring cup rather than scooping to avoid packing it down.
Can I prepare these bars without frosting?

Absolutely! The bars themselves are delicious and full of warm spice, so they’re great on their own or dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Frosting just adds that creamy sweetness if you want a richer dessert.
How do I cut these bars cleanly?

To get neat slices, chill the frosted bars in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up the frosting. Then, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water—wipe it dry before each slice for smooth, clean cuts without dragging the frosting.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it brings all the cozy holiday vibes with minimal fuss. I used to struggle with gingerbread recipes that were either too hard or too bland, but these bars strike the perfect balance of soft, spicy, and sweet every single time. So, if you’re ready to bake something that fills your kitchen with comforting aromas and brings smiles to everyone at the table, I can’t recommend these bars enough. Go on, give them a try—you’ll be so glad you did!