Chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe for the Season

Sweet, spicy, and bursting with holiday cheer, these gingerbread cookie bars bring nostalgic warmth to your kitchen.

Molasses and warm spices dance together in a delightful blend that captures winter’s essence.

Each soft, chewy square delivers rich layers of cinnamon, ginger, and clove.

Baking these bars fills your home with an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone to the kitchen.

The recipe combines traditional flavors with a modern, easy-to-make twist that simplifies classic gingerbread.

No rolling or cutting required – just mix, spread, and bake for a festive treat that delights both kids and adults.

Dive into this comforting dessert and let the magic of gingerbread transport you to cozy winter memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 15

All You Need For Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy foundation that gives structure and texture to your gingerbread bars, ensuring a perfect crumbly yet soft bite.
• Ground Ginger: Adds warm, spicy kick that defines the classic gingerbread flavor with its vibrant and zesty character.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings sweet warmth and aromatic depth, creating that quintessential holiday spice profile.
• Ground Cloves: Introduces a rich, intense flavor that adds complexity and depth to the gingerbread experience.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, sweet-woody note that enhances the overall warmth of the spice blend.
• Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender texture by promoting even browning.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies all the sweet and spicy flavors in the recipe.

• Butter: Creates richness, moisture, and contributes to the bars' tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and helps keep the bars wonderfully moist and soft.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the gingerbread bars.
• Molasses: Delivers that signature dark, robust flavor and deep brown color unique to gingerbread.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the spices and adds a subtle, sweet undertone.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, creamy frosting with perfect spreading consistency.
• Butter: Provides rich, smooth base for the frosting with luxurious mouthfeel.

Must-Have Tools For Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Baking Pan (9×13-inch): Essential for creating evenly baked gingerbread bars with perfect thickness.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and allows easy removal of bars from the pan.
• Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: Crucial for creaming butter and sugar to achieve light, fluffy texture.
• Mixing Bowls (Medium and Large): Needed for combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Perfect for thoroughly mixing dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution of spices.
• Spatula: Helps spread dough evenly in the pan and smooth out frosting.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements are key to successful gingerbread bars.
• Toothpick: Used to test doneness by checking if it comes out clean from the center.
• Knife or Bench Scraper: Helpful for cutting bars into neat squares after cooling.

Simple Steps To Bake Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Preheating the Oven

Get your kitchen cozy and warm by turning the oven to a toasty temperature. Grab a rectangular baking pan and give it a quick spray with cooking oil. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy bar removal.

• Mixing the Dry Magic

In a bowl, swirl together all those warm, spicy powders that make gingerbread sing. Think ginger, cinnamon, and other aromatic friends that create that classic holiday vibe.

• Creating the Dough Base

Whip butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Splash in the egg, molasses, and a hint of vanilla. Watch as these ingredients dance together into a smooth, rich mixture.

• Combining the Elements

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until everything just comes together, being careful not to overmix. This keeps your bars tender and delightful.

• Baking Adventure

Spread the dough evenly across your prepared pan. Slide it into the waiting oven and bake until the edges look set and a quick test shows a clean toothpick. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

• Frosting Fantasy

Whip butter until it’s super creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, creating a dreamy, smooth frosting. A splash of vanilla and a touch of milk will make it perfectly spreadable.

• Final Touches

Generously spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Sprinkle some festive decorations on top to make them look as wonderful as they taste.

• Serving Success

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper edges. Slice into squares and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Extra Notes For Gingerbread Cookie Bars

• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Dial up or down the warm spice blend by increasing or decreasing ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to match your personal flavor preference. Experiment with small incremental changes for perfect seasoning.
• Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap traditional wheat flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to make these bars celiac-friendly. Select a blend with xanthan gum for better texture and structure, ensuring the bars remain tender and delicious.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine for a dairy-free version. Use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk in the frosting to maintain the creamy consistency while accommodating dairy-free dietary needs.
• Decorative Creativity: Transform the bars with festive toppings like crushed gingersnap cookies, chopped candied ginger, or drizzled white chocolate. Sprinkle edible gold dust or holiday-themed sprinkles for an elegant and whimsical presentation that delights both children and adults.

How To Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars Right

• Festive Family Gathering: Serve these gingerbread bars at holiday parties as a delightful dessert centerpiece that brings everyone together around the table.
• Cozy Afternoon Treat: Pair the bars with warm spiced tea or hot cocoa for a comforting snack that warms you from the inside out during chilly winter afternoons.
• Gift-Worthy Delight: Package the bars in decorative holiday tins or cellophane bags with ribbons for a homemade gift that shows personal care and baking love.
• Dessert Platter Enhancement: Arrange the bars alongside other holiday cookies and treats to create a stunning dessert display that will impress guests and satisfy sweet cravings.

Keep Gingerbread Cookie Bars Fresh Longer

• Freezer-Friendly Stash: Pack completely cooled bars between wax paper layers in an airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months for quick sweet treats anytime.
• Fridge Storage Solution: Place frosted bars in sealed container, separating layers with parchment. Refrigerate up to 5 days, maintaining delicious texture and flavor.
• Counter Display Trick: Keep unfrosted bars at room temperature in covered dish for 3-4 days. Minimal moisture exposure helps maintain soft, chewy consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking. Allows spices to develop deeper, richer flavor profile for more delectable bars.

Festive Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 15 1x

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Description

Festive gingerbread cookie bars deliver classic holiday cheer with rich molasses and warm spices. Guests will savor each sweet, comforting bite that connects you to cherished seasonal memories.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (170 g / 6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (227 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsps milk or heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Holiday sprinkles
• Crushed gingerbread cookies

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 350F (175C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, allowing slight overhang for easy extraction.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Wet Ingredient Transformation: Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Blend in egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, creating a silky, uniform mixture.
4. Dough Assembly: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid excessive stirring to maintain tender texture.
5. Baking Process: Spread dough evenly in prepared pan, smoothing the surface. Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
6. Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. Meanwhile, whip butter until creamy, gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and a pinch of salt until frosting becomes light and spreadable.
7. Finishing Touches: Once cooled, lavishly spread frosting over the gingerbread surface. Optionally garnish with festive sprinkles or crumbled gingerbread cookies.
8. Serving: Lift bars from pan using parchment edges. Slice into uniform squares or rectangles, ready to delight and serve.

Notes

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices and flour to maintain the authentic gingerbread flavor and prevent dry or crumbly bars.
• Control Mixing Technique: Mix wet and dry ingredients gently to avoid developing gluten, which could make the bars tough instead of tender and soft.
• Monitor Baking Time Carefully: Check bars at 18 minutes to prevent overcooking, ensuring a moist and chewy texture rather than dry and hard result.
• Temperature Matters: Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing to create smoother batter and more consistent baking performance.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 15
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg