Chewy Gingerbread Bars (Printable Version)
Savor these tender Chewy Gingerbread Bars, bursting with warm spices and topped with smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting.
# 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.
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¼ cup molasses.
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
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1 teaspoon ground ginger.
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½ teaspoon ground cloves.
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2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour.
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2 teaspoons baking soda.
16 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
17 -
Optional: Sprinkles or other decorations.
# Step-by-Step Guide:
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.
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.
03 -
In another bowl, mix together the baking soda, flour, cloves, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.
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.
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.
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.
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:
01 -
Softening butter and cream cheese before you start makes mixing easier and smoother.
02 -
Use parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and the bars easier to lift out.
03 -
Let the gingerbread bars cool all the way before spreading the frosting on top.