Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Gingerbread Cookie Bars offer a delightful twist on traditional gingerbread cookies, featuring warm spices and a creamy frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Base
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking pan.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Baking
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until incorporated.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar in a bowl until smooth, adding an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled bars.
Serving
- Cut the bars into squares and enjoy! They can be served with tea or coffee, and are great for parties.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for up to two weeks. These bars can also be frozen for longer preservation.