All the flavor of fancy cut out gingerbread cookies in a chewy, moist (and generously topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting) Gingerbread Cookie Bar. How’s that for a wordy description? These bars are one of the greatest holiday baking ideas ever. I’ve had “make gingerbread cookies” on my holiday baking list for several years now and I never seem to get around to it.
Just thinking about rolling out cookies is enough to make me get out a bar pan and throw together a batch of brownies instead. Does that make me lazy? or just impatient? Maybe, just maybe, this will be the year I actually make cut out sugar cookies, because I totally crossed “make gingerbread cookies” off my list when I tasted these bars!
I lucked out last week and was able to get my hands on an early copy of 12 Days of Christmas with Six Sisters’ Stuff. As I was flipping through the book, these bars called to me as soon as I saw them. There are so many fun gift ideas and easy holiday recipes in this book; I’ve already made notes on several fun ideas to add to my own holiday gift lists.
Now for my favorite part! My friends at Six Sisters’ Stuff have been so kind as to offer to send a copy of their cookbook to one lucky Barefeet In The Kitchen reader. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite holiday food. Don’t forget to check the box for the giveaway as well, so that I will be able to contact you! GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Optional Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup butter room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1 vanilla bean scraped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan or line with parchment paper. Combine the butter, sugar, molasses, and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat with a mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add the egg and stir again. Add the flours, baking soda, spices, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Press the dough into the prepared pan, using either a spatula or your hands to smooth it to the edges of the pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean, with wet crumbs. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.
- When cooled, beat together the butter and cream cheese for the frosting. Add the powdered sugar and beat again until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract or vanilla bean and stir to mix throughout the frosting. Frost the bars, slice and serve. Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Teresa Ambra says
These look wonderful. These will make great Christmas cookies.
Trudy Gunnet says
My Favorite Christmas tradition is baking my Nana's Sugar Cake Cookies. Takes me back to family gathers at her home. Now I'm hungry for sugar cakes 🙂
Anonymous says
I love to cook stuffing for a turkey breast or huge turkey, it is my favorite holiday food..I only make this one kind at the holidays and it is a big winner..Would love to win this recipe book, it looks fabuless! from mary jane Sampson at [email protected]!
tonya riley says
I will be making this this year during the holidays instead of my traditional gingerbread in the loaf pan. The cream cheese is a great idea. I know my grandkids and family will love it.
Tracy says
Cream pie, sugar cookies, date sqaures, ginger bread cookies
Helene Tallman says
My favorite holiday food is the turkey and trimmings!
Colleen says
Fav Christmas treat: Russian wedding tea cakes!
I like your ginger bread bar recipe…will try them soon!
KELLEY L REITEN says
I am a big follower of the recipies on Barefeet in the Kitchen. I love to bake and have found this Ginger Bread cookie recipe is so easy and delicious. My husband could not stay out of them and asked me to make them again only double it!
Lori Radcliff says
I made these for Christmas Day and they were delicious! I will definitely be making these again, and NOT just for holidays. Thank you for posting the recipe and have a happy New Year!
Kathryn says
These were so delicious! I actually put dough into 2 pie pans so I could share some with my mom.
Very easy to make also. Yum!
Mary Younkin says
I am thrilled that you’re enjoying the recipe, Kathryn!