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Gingerbread Cookie Bars: Soft, Spiced, and Perfectly Shareable
If you love the warm, spiced flavor of classic gingerbread cookies but don’t want to fuss with rolling and cutting dough, gingerbread cookie bars are your answer. These chewy, soft bars are bursting with holiday spice, sweetened with molasses, and finished with optional frosting or festive decorations.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know—from ingredients and baking techniques to topping options, make-ahead tips, and a thorough FAQ section.
🎄 Why Gingerbread Cookie Bars Are a Holiday Favorite
✔️ No rolling or cookie cutters required
✔️ Soft and chewy texture instead of crisp
✔️ Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg
✔️ Great for gifting and parties — easy to slice and serve
✔️ Customizable with glaze, frosting, or festive toppings
✔️ Make-ahead friendly and freezer safe
🧾 Ingredients Breakdown & Functions
Each ingredient plays a crucial role in the flavor and texture of your gingerbread bars.
Dry Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour – Forms the structure. Measure carefully to avoid dense bars.
- Baking soda – Helps bars rise slightly for a soft, chewy texture.
- Ground ginger – Bold, warming spice that defines gingerbread.
- Ground cinnamon – Adds sweet warmth.
- Ground cloves & nutmeg – Provide depth and holiday aroma.
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Wet Ingredients:
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness, moisture, and chew.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens and deepens flavor with molasses undertones.
- Molasses – The heart of gingerbread flavor—rich, earthy, and sweet.
- Eggs – Bind the dough and contribute to moisture.
- Vanilla extract – Adds complexity and sweetness.
🍽️ Classic Gingerbread Cookie Bar Recipe
Yield: 20–24 bars (depending on pan and size)
🧈 Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
🥣 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Use a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the molasses, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
Step 5: Mix the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Spread & Smooth
Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula or damp hands.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 8: Cool
Cool completely in the pan before frosting or cutting into bars.
🍬 Frosting & Topping Options
Gingerbread bars are amazing on their own but even better when topped creatively.
1. Cream Cheese Frosting
A classic pairing with spiced desserts.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 tsp lemon zest for brightness
Instructions:
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until fluffy. Spread over cooled bars.
2. Lemon Glaze
Brightens the spice with citrus zing.
Mix: 1 cup powdered sugar + 2–3 tbsp lemon juice
Drizzle over bars and let set before slicing.
3. White Chocolate Drizzle
Melt 1/2 cup white chocolate chips and drizzle in a zigzag over cooled bars.
4. Festive Add-ons
- Crushed candy canes
- Holiday sprinkles
- Candied ginger bits
- Toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts)
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Bars
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
- Don’t overmix the dough—this can make bars dense or tough.
- Use unsulphured molasses, not blackstrap, which is too bitter.
- Cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Chill before frosting for the cleanest cuts.
📦 Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
Storing
- Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- For frosted bars, refrigerate up to 1 week.
Freezing
- Wrap cooled, unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze up to 3 months.
- Thaw at room temp and frost after thawing.
🍽️ Nutritional Information (Per Bar – Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180–220 kcal |
| Fat | 8–10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28–32 g |
| Sugar | 16–20 g |
| Protein | 2–3 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
Varies based on toppings and portion size.
🎨 Variations to Try
🍫 Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Bars
Add 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips to the dough for a rich twist.
🥥 Coconut Gingerbread Bars
Stir in 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut for tropical flair.
🧡 Orange-Spiced Bars
Use orange zest in place of vanilla and top with orange glaze.
🌶️ Spicy Gingerbread Bars
Add 1/8 tsp cayenne for a subtle heat kick.
🍏 Apple-Gingerbread Bars
Fold in 1/2 cup finely diced apples before baking. Delicious with cream cheese frosting!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
A: Yes! Double all ingredients and use a 13×18 inch half-sheet pan. Adjust baking time by adding 5–8 minutes and test with a toothpick.
Q: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour (with xanthan gum) for best results.
Q: My bars came out dry—what went wrong?
A: Common reasons include overbaking or too much flour. Check for doneness at 22 minutes and spoon-and-level your flour when measuring.
Q: Can I use blackstrap molasses?
A: It’s not recommended—blackstrap is very bitter and can overwhelm the cookie flavor. Stick to unsulphured molasses.
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes! Refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before spreading in the pan.
Q: Can I freeze the bars with frosting?
A: While possible, it’s better to freeze them unfrosted for best texture. Frost after thawing for a fresh finish.
Q: Are gingerbread bars good for holiday gifting?
A: They’re perfect! Wrap cooled, frosted bars in parchment, then place in festive cookie tins or boxes.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Cozy Up with a Pan of Gingerbread Bars
Gingerbread cookie bars are the perfect solution when you want that warm, spiced holiday flavor without the hassle of rolling or cutting dough. Moist, chewy, and endlessly customizable, they’re ideal for everything from cookie exchanges to quiet nights by the fire.
Whether you top them with cream cheese frosting, drizzle them with white chocolate, or keep them simple and classic, these bars are guaranteed to make your season brighter.