These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are everything you love about classic gingerbread, reimagined into soft, chewy bars that make any holiday celebration extra special. The warming blend of spices, rich molasses flavor, and tender bite will instantly transport you to cozy winter days by the fire—without the fuss of rolling or cutting dough. Whether you top them with a cloud of cream cheese frosting or a simple snowy dusting of powdered sugar, these bars come together quickly and slice up beautifully for sharing. They belong at your cookie swap, on your dessert table, or even as a sweet little gift to brighten someone’s day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking Gingerbread Cookie Bars doesn’t require anything fancy, but each ingredient plays a starring role in achieving the perfect taste and texture. The warm spices, dark molasses, and sweet sugars come together for a treat that’s irresistibly festive and comforting.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your bars, so they slice clean and sturdy while staying soft.
- Baking soda: Gives just enough lift for a tender, chewy bite without puffing up like cake.
- Ground ginger: Essential for that signature gingerbread zing—don’t go easy on this one!
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and balances the spices with an irresistible aroma.
- Ground cloves: Tiny but mighty, this spice deepens the flavor with a spicy-sweet kick.
- Ground nutmeg: Rounds out the spice profile, making it complex and cozy.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the sweet, spicy notes.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creates a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s truly soft for easy creaming!
- Packed brown sugar: Gives the bars moisture and a subtle caramel flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of extra sweetness and helps with the perfect texture.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness to every bite.
- Molasses: The powerhouse ingredient for true gingerbread flavor; use unsulphured for best results.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the warmth and depth of all the spices.
- Cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar (optional): For topping—each one adds its own festive touch.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal, or lightly grease it if you prefer. This simple step ensures your Gingerbread Cookie Bars lift out perfectly without sticking, leaving those edges beautifully intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. This thorough mixing distributes the spices evenly, so every bite sings with flavor and warmth—no clumps or dull spots here!
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab a large bowl and beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key for cookies and bars alike: well-creamed butter and sugar create that soft chew and perfect crumb in Gingerbread Cookie Bars.
Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to your buttery mixture. Beat until everything is smooth and unified, letting the molasses tint it that deep gingerbread brown we all love.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, mixing gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix—you want a soft, tender bar, not a tough one. Scrape the sides down as needed to catch any pockets of flour hiding at the bottom.
Step 6: Spread and Bake
Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. It’ll be a bit thick, so use a spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are perfect).
Step 7: Cool and Top
Let the Gingerbread Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan to finish setting up. Once cool, slice into bars, then finish with dollops of cream cheese frosting or a dusting of powdered sugar, if you like. Each option brings a little extra magic—choose what fits your mood!
How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A swirl of classic cream cheese frosting adds tang and luxury, but don’t overlook the charm of a gentle snowfall of powdered sugar on top of your Gingerbread Cookie Bars. Feeling extra creative? Try a drizzle of melted white chocolate or a scattering of festive sprinkles for a playful holiday vibe.
Side Dishes
Serve your Gingerbread Cookie Bars alongside a mug of hot cocoa, spiced chai, or a creamy latte—these warm drinks bring out the bold spices in every bite. For a fancier spread, pair with fresh fruit, like orange slices or berries, for a contrast that feels bright and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange bars in a festive tin or box and tie with a ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift. For parties, cut the bars into mini squares and stack them on a tiered dessert stand. Or create a DIY dessert board with an assortment of garnishes so guests can “decorate” their own Gingerbread Cookie Bars.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Gingerbread Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay remarkably tender, and some say the flavors deepen and get even more delicious after day one!
Freezing
Want to get a head start before your holiday rush? Freeze the bars (with or without frosting) by wrapping them well and placing in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to three months—just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you like your cookie bars a bit warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This gently revives their soft, chewy goodness and releases all those lovely spice aromas. If they’re frosted, microwave in short intervals to avoid melting the topping.
FAQs
Can I make these Gingerbread Cookie Bars gluten free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a good quality 1:1 gluten-free blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum for structure, and your bars will turn out beautifully chewy and delicious.
What kind of molasses should I use?
Unsulphured molasses is best here—it gives that rich, classic gingerbread flavor without being bitter. Avoid blackstrap molasses, which can be overpowering and much less sweet.
Can I add mix-ins to the batter?
Definitely! White chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or dried cranberries all add fun texture and flavor to Gingerbread Cookie Bars. Just stir in up to 1 cup of your favorite mix-in right before spreading the batter in the pan.
How do I know when the bars are finished baking?
They’re ready when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Overbaking can make them dry, so keep a close eye on them toward the end.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes! You can easily double the batch and bake in two pans, or use a larger pan if you have one and adjust the baking time as needed. These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are party-perfect and always disappear quickly.
Final Thoughts
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect way to bring a burst of spice, comfort, and joy to your winter baking routine. I hope you’ll try them soon and enjoy sharing these irresistibly soft, spiced bars with those you love—there’s truly nothing quite like the smell (and taste!) of gingerbread wafting through your home.
Print
Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of the holiday season with these delicious Gingerbread Cookie Bars. Soft and chewy, these bars are easy to make and perfect for sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla; mix well.
- Combine mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Spread dough in pan.
- Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes until edges are set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and serve: Cool bars in pan before slicing. Top with frosting or powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Enhance with white chocolate chips or drizzled melted white chocolate for a festive touch.
- Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
