Description
Spiced warmth fills kitchens with these gingerbread cookie bars, blending classic holiday comfort and rich molasses magic. Sweet, chewy squares welcome winter memories, inviting home bakers to savor nostalgic moments of celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Garnish:
- Holiday sprinkles
- Crushed gingerbread cookies
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring edges extend slightly for effortless removal.
- Combine flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl. Thoroughly blend the dry ingredients and set aside.
- Cream softened butter with brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale. Incorporate egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, stirring until the texture appears smooth and uniform.
- Fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, gently mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain the bars’ delicate texture.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, distributing evenly with a spatula. Smooth the surface to ensure consistent baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center – it should emerge clean. Allow the bars to cool completely within the pan.
- Whip butter until creamy and soft. Gradually introduce powdered sugar, creating a smooth consistency. Add vanilla extract, milk, and a pinch of salt, beating until the frosting becomes light and spreadable.
- Once cooled, generously spread the frosting across the gingerbread surface. Embellish with festive sprinkles or crumbled gingerbread cookies for a decorative touch.
- Lift the bars from the pan using parchment edges. Slice into uniform squares or rectangles, ready to serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth creaming and even mixing of ingredients.
- Measure spices accurately to balance the warm, rich gingerbread flavor without overwhelming the sweetness.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to maintain texture.
- Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes if you prefer softer, chewier gingerbread bars with a slightly gooey center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg