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Delectable Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Chewy Gingerbread Bars combine warm spices like ginger and cinnamon with a soft, chewy base, topped with cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie swaps.

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Updated on Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:57:23 GMT
Delectable Chewy Gingerbread Bars
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Delectable Chewy Gingerbread Bars | quickierecipe.com

These Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Bars capture the essence of holiday baking with warm spices and a creamy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for family gatherings or holiday parties, these bars offer all the delicious flavors of traditional gingerbread in an easy-to-make bar form.

INGREDIENTS

  • For the Gingerbread Bars:
    • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
    • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line an 8x8 or 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 3:
Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and molasses.
Step 4:
Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
Step 5:
Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake 15-18 minutes for 8x8 pan, or 20-22 minutes for 9x13 pan.
Step 6:
Let cool completely in pan.
Step 7:
For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar until desired consistency.
Step 8:
Spread frosting over cooled bars and decorate as desired.

Serving and Storage Tips

  • Serve bars at room temperature for best texture.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Refrigerate for firmer texture if desired.
  • Can be frozen for up to 3 months when properly wrapped.

Tips from Well-Known Chefs

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best results in the frosting.
  • Line pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • Don't overmix the batter to ensure soft, chewy texture.

VARIATIONS

  • Use a simple glaze instead of cream cheese frosting.
  • Add holiday sprinkles or decorations for festive touch.
  • Cut into shapes with cookie cutters after cooling.
  • Tint frosting with food coloring for holiday colors.

Delectable Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Indulge in the delightful fusion of spices with these delectable Chewy Gingerbread Bars, perfectly complemented by a creamy and smooth cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
23 Minutes
Total Time
43 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 bars)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened.
02 1 cup white granulated sugar.
03 ½ cup light brown sugar, packed.
04 ¼ cup molasses.
05 1 large egg.
06 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
07 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour.
08 2 teaspoons baking soda.
09 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
10 1 teaspoon ground ginger.
11 ½ teaspoon ground cloves.
12 ¼ teaspoon salt.
13 ½ cup unsalted butter, softened.
14 8 ounces cream cheese, softened.
15 3 cups powdered sugar.
16 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
17 Optional: Sprinkles or other decorations.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly.

Step 02

In a large bowl, whisk together the white granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and softened butter until well combined. Whisk in the molasses and egg until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla extract.

Step 03

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.

Step 04

Beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. The batter will be thick. Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 05

Bake for 22-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan.

Step 06

In a stand mixer or large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Step 07

Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Add sprinkles or other decorations if desired. Cut into bars (you can cut into 24 squares and then cut each square in half for smaller rectangles).

Notes

  1. Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened at room temperature before starting the recipe for better blending.
  2. Line the baking dish with parchment paper for easy release and cleanup.
  3. Let the gingerbread cookie bars cool completely before adding the cream cheese frosting.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Large bowl.
  • Stand mixer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 200
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~