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Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 111 reviews
  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for the holiday season. Soft, chewy, and full of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, they are topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting that adds a delightful tangy sweetness. Easy to make in a baking dish and perfect for sharing, these bars combine classic gingerbread flavors with a luscious frosting for a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Bars:

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare your cookie bars.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and light brown sugar. Beat together until the mixture is fluffy. Then, add the egg and continue beating until smooth. Stir in the molasses until well combined.
  3. Add dry ingredients: To the wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, and salt. Mix all ingredients together until a uniform dough forms.
  4. Bake the cookie bars: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until just set. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
  5. Prepare the frosting: In a clean mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together for about 4 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then continue beating for another 4 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
  6. Frost the bars: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread cookie bars. If desired, sprinkle with festive sprinkles for decoration.
  7. Store the bars: Store the frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, these bars can be frozen either before or after frosting; wrap individual bars tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to one month.

Notes

  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
  • You can freeze these cookie bars before and/or after adding frosting. Wrap each cut bar tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to one month.
  • Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • For an extra festive touch, add colorful sprinkles on top of the frosting.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for optimal mixing and texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 190
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 27g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Find it online: https://yumyy.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/