Description
Deliciously spiced gingerbread bars topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Gingerbread Bars:
- 2 1⁄4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 3⁄4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3⁄4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
- 1⁄4 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1⁄4 cup sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on the long sides for easy lifting later.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add wet ingredients: Turn the mixer to low and blend in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring by hand with a spatula until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
- Bake the bars: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost the bars: Once the gingerbread bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. If desired, sprinkle with festive candy sprinkles.
- Chill and slice: Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes to allow the frosting to set. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Slice into squares, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are softened for easy mixing.
- Optional sprinkles can add a festive touch for holiday parties.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 265MG
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg