Description
Delightful Gingerbread Bars bring warm holiday spices to life with their irresistible texture and rich molasses depth. Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, these bars offer a perfect balance of sweetness and comfort that will transport you straight to festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Frosting and Topping:
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine flour, baking soda, and spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves) with salt in a large mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Using a stand mixer, blend melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate the egg into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration for proper dough structure.
- Slowly introduce dry ingredients into the wet mixture, using low-speed mixing to prevent flour dispersion, blending until a uniform dough forms.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, spreading it uniformly and creating an even surface for consistent baking.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, watching for a darker surface and checking doneness with a toothpick that should reveal minimal moist crumbs.
- Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting preparation.
- Whip softened cream cheese and butter until fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly across the cooled bars, adding holiday sprinkles for decoration.
- Slice into 24 bars, cleaning the knife between cuts for precise edges.
Notes
- Ensure precise ingredient measurement for consistent texture and flavor development.
- Cream butter and sugars thoroughly to create a light, airy base that promotes chewiness in the bars.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help ingredients blend smoothly and prevent uneven mixing.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain clean, crisp frosting lines.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar structure.
- Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes if using dark-colored baking pans to prevent over-browning.
- Enhance spice depth by toasting ground spices briefly in a dry skillet before adding to dry ingredients.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain optimal moisture and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 223
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 118 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg