Irresistibly Soft & Spicy Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Holiday Baking Guide

Embrace the warm, festive spirit of the holidays with these incredible **Gingerbread Cookie Bars**. Forget the fuss of rolling and cutting individual cookies; these bars are a dream come true for busy bakers! They are wonderfully soft, perfectly thick, and bursting with classic gingerbread spices, making them an effortless yet impressive treat. Crowned with a luscious, tangy **cream cheese frosting** and a sprinkle of festive cheer, these gingerbread cookie bars are guaranteed to be a sensational hit throughout the **holiday season** and beyond. They offer all the beloved flavors of traditional gingerbread in a quick, convenient, and utterly delicious form.

Gingerbread is more than just a cookie; it’s an emblem of the holidays, filling homes with an irresistible aroma that instantly brings joy. While traditional gingerbread cookies are a beloved custom, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season often leaves little time for intricate baking projects. The process of rolling out dough, meticulously cutting shapes, baking in batches, and then frosting each individual cookie can be quite time-consuming. This is where **gingerbread cookie bars** shine as the perfect solution! You achieve the exact same delicious, deeply spiced flavor and comforting texture of gingerbread cookies, but in a fraction of the time and with minimal effort. They offer the quintessential taste of Christmas in a wonderfully convenient package, making holiday baking less stressful and more enjoyable.

The Magic of Homemade Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Our **Gingerbread Cookie Bars** take everything you love about gingerbread and transform it into an easy-to-manage dessert. These bars are crafted from essential cookie ingredients, elevated by a carefully balanced blend of warming spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, complemented by the rich, distinct flavor of molasses. This combination creates a deeply aromatic and wonderfully complex flavor profile that is synonymous with festive cheer. The soft, thick cookie dough is spread evenly into a square baking pan, baked to perfection, and then, once completely cooled, generously topped with a velvety, sweet, and slightly tangy **cream cheese frosting**. For an extra touch of holiday magic, don’t forget to add some vibrant festive sprinkles – they instantly elevate these bars into the ultimate holiday dessert, perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying with a warm mug of cocoa.

Key Ingredients for Perfect Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Crafting the perfect batch of **Gingerbread Cookie Bars** starts with understanding the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create this holiday masterpiece:

COOKIE DOUGH:

• Granulated Sugar – Only a modest 1/3 cup is needed for the cookie dough, providing just enough sweetness to balance the robust spice flavors. It also contributes to the tender texture of the bars.
• Butter – Essential for richness and moisture. Ensure your butter is fully melted before incorporating it into the other ingredients. For the most superior flavor and texture, always opt for real, good-quality salted butter.
• Molasses – This is the star ingredient that gives gingerbread its signature deep, complex flavor and characteristic chewiness. A couple of tablespoons of molasses provides that rich, dark, slightly smoky taste. You can use any variety of molasses, though dark molasses will yield a more intense flavor and darker color.
• Brown Sugar – Two tablespoons of firmly packed brown sugar are added to enhance the sweetness and provide a lovely caramel note, contributing to the bars’ moist and chewy consistency.
• Vanilla Extract – The quality of your vanilla can significantly impact the final flavor. Use a high-quality pure vanilla extract for the best results, as it enhances all the other flavors in the dough.
• Egg Yolk – Crucial for richness and binding the dough. Make sure to separate the egg white and only add the yolk to the cookie dough. The yolk contributes to a fudgier, more tender bar.
• All-Purpose Flour – You will need one cup of all-purpose flour, which forms the structural base of the cookie bars. Measure it accurately by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off.
• Baking Soda – This acts as the essential leavening agent, helping the cookie bars rise and achieve their desired softness. It’s vital to ensure your baking soda is fresh and not expired for proper activation.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Salt – This aromatic quartet of spices is what defines the classic gingerbread flavor!
  • Ground Cinnamon: Provides warmth and a sweet-spicy aroma.
  • Ground Ginger: Adds a characteristic pungent, spicy kick, which is central to gingerbread.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Offers a sweet, woody, and slightly peppery undertone.
  • Ground Cloves: Contributes a strong, sweet, and aromatic depth.
  • Salt: A crucial flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and brings out the nuances of the spices.

  Together, these spices create that delicious, comforting, and instantly recognizable gingerbread flavor and the amazing smell that fills your home!

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 4 ounces Cream Cheese – Approximately half a standard brick. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting. The cream cheese adds a delightful tang that perfectly complements the rich gingerbread.
• 1/4 cup Salted Butter – Softened to room temperature. The butter contributes to the frosting’s creamy texture and richness. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.
• 2 cups Powdered (Confectioners’) Sugar – The base of the frosting, providing sweetness and a smooth, airy texture. Sift it if clumpy to ensure a silky finish.
• Holiday Sprinkles for Garnish – Optional, but highly recommended for an extra festive touch and visual appeal!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Follow these simple instructions to create your delicious and festive gingerbread cookie bars:

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by spraying it generously with non-stick baking spray or greasing it thoroughly with butter. For even easier removal and perfectly cut bars, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to create “handles.”

MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the granulated sugar, melted butter, rich molasses, packed brown sugar, and aromatic vanilla extract until all ingredients are well combined and smooth. The mixture should be uniform in color and texture. Next, add the single egg yolk and continue whisking diligently until it’s fully incorporated, adding richness and helping bind the dough.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This prevents clumps and ensures consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet sugar and molasses mixture. Using a sturdy rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, gently fold all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookie bars. The mixture will be quite thick and may appear a little crumbly at this stage, but it will come together as you press it.

Step 5: Press Dough into Pan and Bake

Transfer the thick cookie dough mixture into your prepared 8-inch square pan. Using your fingers or the back of a spoon, evenly press the dough across the bottom of the pan, making sure it’s packed tightly and reaches all corners. This ensures a uniform thickness for even baking. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake! Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial for easy handling and frosting.

MAKE THE FROSTING

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookie bars are cooling, prepare the heavenly cream cheese frosting. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and vanilla extract at medium speed. Beat until the mixture is completely smooth, light, and fluffy – this usually takes 2-3 minutes. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese or butter remaining.

Step 7: Add Powdered Sugar

With the mixer on low speed, slowly begin to add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, approximately 1/3 cup at a time. Beat until each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. Continue beating until the frosting is smooth, thick, and spreadable. Don’t forget to occasionally stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with your spatula to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.

Step 8: Frost and Serve

Once the gingerbread cookie base has cooled completely, spread the luscious cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. If desired, generously sprinkle with festive holiday sprinkles for a beautiful presentation. Slice the bars into desired squares or rectangles and serve immediately. Enjoy your homemade holiday masterpiece!