All the flavor of classic gingerbread cookies in a chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bar generously topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting.
I’ve had “make gingerbread cookies” on my holiday baking list for several years now and I never seem to get around to it.
Most of the time, 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?
Well, I’m happy to tell you that these cookie bars trump every gingerbread cookie I’ve ever tasted in the past. So, not only do they win points for being so very easy, they win for being truly fantastic as well.
And while these bars are absolutely delicious topped with the cream cheese frosting, they’re also terrific without the frosting.
These bars are one of the greatest holiday baking ideas ever. (Thanks to 12 Days of Christmas with Six Sisters’ Stuff for the inspiration!)
I officially (and likely forever) crossed “make gingerbread cookies” off my list six years ago, when I tasted these bars.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
- TO MAKE THE COOKIE BARS: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 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.
- TO MAKE THE FROSTING: When the bars have completely 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.
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 9×13 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!
{originally published 10/2/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/11/20}
Sarah Bales Strom says
Every year I make Brown Sugar Pecan Shortbread for the holidays. It's the taste of Christmas for me.
Tammie Harnish says
My families favorite Christmas treat is my Moms icebox ginger snaps, she always made them each year, she passed in March of this year 🙁
so I guess I will be taking up the tradition. Maybe try these before Christmas and they will become a favorite also.
Anonymous says
Pumpkin, anything pumpkin, I look forward to fall all year just to see the new pumpkin recipes I can try!
Monica says
I love 7 layers bars or ribbon candy but to be fair that's candy so…..My mom's ham and all the trimmings or my dad's tamales and all the side dishes. Who can just pick one item?!
Monica Archer says
I love fudge!
kim says
Spritz cookies!
Anonymous says
Sean brought these in to work today and they are absolutely amazing!! Fully intend on trying to recreate these at home in the very near future. Great recipe!
Joanne says
One of my favorite holiday foods was my mom's turkey and cornbread dressing. And, all the cookies I bake for Christmas to give to family and friends. These gingerbread cookie bars look very tasty!
Anonymous says
Anything pumpkin and HALLOWEEN CANDY!
Goodies Gone Gluten Free says
My favorite holiday food is anything pumpkin!
Anonymous says
Love anything with cranberries during the holidays!
Brenda says
I think my favorite is the roast turkey and second is pumpkin pie.
Elizabeth T. says
My favorite holiday food is pumpkin pie with a large dollop of whipped cream.
allyvpulliam says
Apple pie and snickerdoodles!
Tabitha Klucking says
Those cookie bars look divine! I can't wait to try them! My fave holiday food is a potato salad made with beets, carrots, asparagus, green beans, and meat. It's an old Betty Crocker recipe called Russian Salads because of the beets.
Sarah Campbell says
My favorite holiday food is probably the meal I made last year. Roasted chicken, green beans with cranberries and goat cheese, and roasted fingerling potatoes. We all had a good time and loved the food!
Tiffany says
Shortbread cookies!!
Darlene Peterson says
My favorite Christmas Eve food is lutefisk. Really it is!!!
Anonymous says
I love all the holiday cookies that my friends and neighbors make! bjn1957{at}gmail{dot}com
mathmahna says
My favorite is my (Armenian) grandmother's baklava.