Gingerbread Bars Recipe

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  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    40 mins

  • Servings

    20 to 24 servings

  • Calories

    366 kcal

  • Course

    Dessert

  • Cuisine

    American

Gingerbread Bars Recipe

This must-try gingerbread bars recipe topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting is a hit every single time! It's a make-ahead and freezer-friendly holiday recipe.

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Ingredients

Servings

For the Bars:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (220g)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted (226g)
  • cup granulated sugar (133g)
  • cup unsulphured molasses (80mL)
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature (170g)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened (56g)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar (360g
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Chopped, candied ginger or sprinkles to garnish
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Instructions

For the Gingerbread Bars:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk to combine the brown sugar, melted butter, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk together until the mixture is thick and well combined.
  4. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir with a spatula until combined.
  5. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread into an even layer.
  6. Bake for about 30 to 32 minutes or the top is set, the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

For the Frosting:

  1. In a large mixing bowl with a handheld electric mixer or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium speed for about 1 minute until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed just until combined. Then, increase to medium speed for about 2 minutes until light and creamy.
  2. Spread over top of the cooled gingerbread bars. Garnish with slices of candied ginger or sprinkles if you like.

Notes

  • Weigh the flour. Using too much flour will lead to dry gingerbread bars. The most accurate way to measure flour is using a kitchen scale. If you don't have one, fluff the flour in its container and spoon it into your measuring cup.
  • Use room temperature ingredients. Set the butter and cream cheese for the frosting and the eggs out about an hour or so before you start baking. Room-temperature ingredients are easier to blend with other ingredients. If you forget to set out the butter, see my post on how to soften butter quickly (this trick works for cream cheese, too).
  • Use brick-style cream cheese for the frosting, not the spreadable kind that comes in a tub.
  • If the frosting is too thick when mixed together, you can add up to 1 tablespoon of milk or heavy cream to thin it out a bit. I recommend adding just 1 teaspoon at a time until it reaches a thick yet spreadable consistency.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 366kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 55g (18%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 0.5g Cholesterol 58mg (19%) Sodium 242mg (10%) Potassium 145mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 40g (80%) Vitamin A 497IU (10%) Vitamin C 0.03mg (0%) Calcium 41mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20to 24 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 366kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 55g 18%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.5g 25%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 242mg 10%
Potassium 145mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 40g 80%
Vitamin A 497IU 10%
Vitamin C 0.03mg 0%
Calcium 41mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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