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We can’t ignore gingerbread desserts during the Christmas season, can we? These soft and chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars are so yummy and made with butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses along with cinnamon, ginger, and cloves!

Layered with a delicious creamy cream cheese buttercream frosting, these are totally irresistible, like this Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf!

So, I guess this is my way of getting out of making a gingerbread house. 🙂 I make gingerbread cookie bars instead and still get to enjoy the taste of gingerbread flavor! Plus, these are the perfect easy holiday treat to make, bake and eat!

Using Ginger In Our Gingerbread Bars

Ginger is one of our favorite holiday spices to bake with. It has a low-key spicy vibe along with strong flavor that pairs perfectly with other warming spices like ground cinnamon and cloves.

I topped these with a lovely cream cheese frosting, because cream cheese frosting tastes amazing with these gingerbread cookie bars!

You could even add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the frosting to take it up a notch. If you’ve ever had lemon and gingerbread together, it is amazing, giving it a fresh, tangy flavor!! This Starbuck’s Gingerbread Loaf has a delicious lemon cream cheese frosting and it was so delish! You may want to try it!

What Kind of Molasses Should I Use?

You need to use unsulfured molasses, it should be clearly stated somewhere on the label. Avoid using blackstrap molasses, which is quite intense.

The brightness of the gingerbread color depends on the brand of molasses you use, so your gingerbread cookie bars may be darker or brighter in the end.

Ingredients You Need

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

unsalted butter, softened
light brown sugar, packed
egg
molasses
all-purpose flour
baking soda
cinnamon
ground ginger
cloves (if you don’t have, it’s fine to leave out)
salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

unsalted butter, softened
cream cheese, softened
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
festive sprinkles, if desired, we used little gingerbread men sprinkles
pinch of salt

Add some zing and freshness to your cream cheese frosting by adding tablespoon of lemon juice for tangy cream cheese frosting if desired.

Instructions How to Make Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt, set aside.
Using mixer, in a large bowl, combine softened butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Then, add in the egg and beat until smooth. Follow with molasses and beat until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you mix each of the additions.
Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and mix together until combined without overmixing.
Press cookie dough into baking dish. Cookie dough will be sticky, so lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray, then press the mixture down into the pan. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla and beat an additional 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Spread frosting over cooled bars.
Add sprinkles if desired.
Store in airtight container for up to one week.

To add a little more spice, feel free to add other spices.

¼ teaspoon nutmeg pairs very well with ginger, so it’s also a another great spice to add in, while you’re adding in spices!

These gingerbread bars with cream cheese frosting are a such an easy holiday treat that can be made in 30 minutes or less total time, then add some frosting and you’re good to go! Let’s bake some Gingerbread Bars!

More Christmas Cookies & Bars!