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Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Category: Sweet Treats Everyone Will Love

Warm spices like cinnamon, molasses, and ginger come together in these soft, chewy gingerbread bars. The rich flavors are balanced with tangy cream cheese frosting, while the brown sugar and butter ensure each bite is perfectly tender. Crystallized ginger adds a fun, zesty finish to this holiday favorite.
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Emily Watson
By Emily Watson Emily Watson
Last updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:17 GMT
Chewy Gingerbread Bars Pin
Chewy Gingerbread Bars | thefamilycooks.com

These Tender and Moist Gingerbread Bars bring holiday baking to life with cozy spices and smooth cream cheese topping. They're just right for family get-togethers or Christmas parties, packing all those yummy traditional gingerbread flavors into simple, easy-to-serve bars.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • 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 Topping:
    • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
    • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups powdered sugar

HOW TO MAKE IT

Step 1:
Warm your oven to 350°F (180°C). Put parchment paper in an 8x8 or 9x13 inch baking pan.
Step 2:
Mix flour, baking soda, spices, and salt together in a bowl.
Step 3:
Mix butter with both sugars until fluffy and light (about 3-4 minutes). Drop in eggs one by one, then add vanilla and molasses.
Step 4:
Slowly add dry mix to wet ingredients just until they come together. Don't mix too much.
Step 5:
Spread the mixture evenly in your lined pan. Cook for 15-18 minutes in an 8x8 pan, or 20-22 minutes in a 9x13 pan.
Step 6:
Let the bars cool all the way in the pan.
Step 7:
For topping, whip cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until creamy. Slowly mix in powdered sugar until it looks right.
Step 8:
Spread topping over cooled bars and dress them up if you want.

How to Keep and Serve

  • These taste best when eaten at room temperature.
  • Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Pop them in the fridge if you want them firmer.
  • You can freeze them for up to 3 months if wrapped well.

Pro Cooking Advice

  • Get your ingredients to room temp for the smoothest topping.
  • Using parchment paper makes taking the bars out super easy.
  • Go easy on the mixing to keep the bars soft and chewy.

MIX IT UP

  • Try a basic sugar glaze instead of cream cheese topping.
  • Add colorful sprinkles for extra holiday cheer.
  • Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes after they cool.
  • Add food coloring to the topping for festive red and green.

Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Savor these tender Chewy Gingerbread Bars, bursting with warm spices and topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
23 mins
Total Time
43 mins
By Emily Watson: Emily Watson

Recipe Category: Desserts

Skill Level: Beginner

Cuisine Type: American

Makes: 24 Serves (24 bars)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

What You’ll Need

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

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 01

Turn your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get a 9x13-inch baking dish ready by either greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper.

Step 02

In a big bowl, blend the softened butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar until combined. Stir in the egg and molasses until the mixture is smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and stir again.

Step 03

In another bowl, mix together the baking soda, flour, cloves, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.

Step 04

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet one and mix just until combined. The dough will be thick. Push the dough flat into the greased or lined dish.

Step 05

Let it bake for about 22-23 minutes, or until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean. Cool the cookie bars completely in the pan.

Step 06

Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter in a mixer or with a hand mixer until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract as a final step.

Step 07

Once cool, evenly spread the frosting over the bars. Add sprinkles or decorations if you’d like. Cut into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference. If you want smaller pieces, slice each square in half.

Additional Notes

  1. Softening butter and cream cheese before you start makes mixing easier and smoother.
  2. Use parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and the bars easier to lift out.
  3. Let the gingerbread bars cool all the way before spreading the frosting on top.

Essential Tools

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

Allergen Information

Check each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Gluten.
  • Dairy.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for guidance only and don't replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 200
  • Fats: ~
  • Carbohydrates: ~
  • Proteins: ~