Name: Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 large egg; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup dark brown sugar (firmly packed); 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted); 1/3 cup molasses; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon; 2 tsps baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 6 oz cream cheese (softened); 3 tbsps unsalted butter (softened); 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar; 3/4 tsp vanilla extract; Holiday sprinkles (optional)

Sweet memories of childhood winters always flood back when I think about gingerbread cookie bars that remind me of cozy afternoons.

Grandma’s kitchen would smell incredible with warm spices wafting through the air.

Soft and chewy textures promise a delightful treat for anyone who loves classic holiday flavors.

Molasses and cinnamon blend perfectly to create a nostalgic dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Dark brown sugar adds depth and richness to these irresistible bars that melt in your mouth.

Baking these treats connects you to generations of family traditions and festive moments.

Craft Cozy Comfort: These gingerbread cookie bars bring warm holiday feelings with rich spices that hug your taste buds and create instant nostalgia.
Simplify Holiday Baking: Forget complicated cookie cutting and decorating – this recipe transforms traditional gingerbread into an easy-to-make bar format that saves precious preparation energy.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, and seasonal celebrations, these bars deliver classic gingerbread flavor in a shareable, crowd-friendly format that appeals to all ages.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare these bars in advance, store them easily, and serve them chilled or at room temperature, making them an ideal dessert for busy holiday schedules and stress-free entertaining.

Flour and Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient that provides structure and texture to the gingerbread cookie bars.
Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves: Signature spices that give the bars their classic warm and aromatic gingerbread flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a moist, tender texture.
Granulated Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to the bars' soft and chewy consistency.
Molasses: Gives the bars their deep, characteristic gingerbread flavor and dark color.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the overall taste.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps create a smooth, cohesive batter.

Frosting Ingredients:

Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, complementary flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
Holiday Sprinkles (Optional): Provides a festive decorative touch to the gingerbread bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Slide the oven rack to the middle position. Warm the oven to 350°F.

Grab a 9×13-inch pan and coat it thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and toss in:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Ground cinnamon
Ground ginger
Ground nutmeg
Ground cloves
Salt

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly blended and looking cozy together.

Step 3: Create Butter Mixture

In another spacious bowl, combine:

Melted butter
Granulated sugar
Dark brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Molasses

Blend these ingredients on medium speed until the mixture looks fluffy and light, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Drop in the egg and mix thoroughly.

Slowly add the dry ingredients, starting on low speed and then ramping up to medium. Mix until everything looks harmonious, roughly 1 minute.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan. Slide into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Look for a darker color and a toothpick with just a few moist crumbs. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Craft Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, blend:

Softened cream cheese
Butter

Whip on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Perfect the Frosting

Gently add:

Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract

Start mixing on low speed, then increase to medium-high.

Whip until the frosting looks smooth and creamy, around 1-2 minutes.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting generously across the top.

Sprinkle with holiday decorations if you’re feeling extra festive. Slice into bars and watch them disappear!

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create chewier bars with deeper flavor development.
Use freshly ground spices for more intense and vibrant gingerbread taste, enhancing the overall aromatic profile of the cookie bars.
Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal and clean cutting, allowing simple lifting and precise bar separation.
Swap molasses with maple syrup for a milder sweetness or use gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
Allow cream cheese frosting to reach room temperature before spreading to ensure smooth, even coverage and prevent cracking on the surface.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a similar texture and taste for those with gluten sensitivities.
Vegan Spice Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and choose plant-based cream cheese for the frosting to create a dairy-free version.
Reduced Sugar Ginger Squares: Substitute granulated and brown sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, maintaining the classic gingerbread flavor while lowering overall sugar content.
Nutty Gingerbread Option: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added crunch and a nutty dimension to the traditional gingerbread recipe.

Enjoy these gingerbread cookie bars alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai latte, which complements the warm, rich spices in the dessert and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Select a sweet late-harvest riesling or a muscato d'asti to balance the rich cream cheese frosting and bring out the molasses undertones in the gingerbread bars.
Serve with a velvety cappuccino or a vanilla-infused latte, whose smooth texture and mild sweetness perfectly offset the robust spices of the gingerbread cookie bars.

Store frosted gingerbread bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out.
Wrap unfrosted bars individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
Place frosted bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Store frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before serving.

FAQs

Are gingerbread cookie bars different from traditional gingerbread cookies?

These bars offer a softer, more cake-like texture compared to crisp gingerbread cookies. They’re easier to make and provide a more uniform dessert that’s simple to cut and serve.

Can I make these bars without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a whisk and wooden spoon. The key is to ensure ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

How do I know if the bars are baked correctly?

Look for slightly darker edges and a toothpick with a few moist crumbs when inserted into the center. Avoid overbaking, as this can make the bars dry and tough.

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.

Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.