If you’re in the mood for a treat that combines the coziness of holiday spices with the ease of a classic dessert bar, you absolutely have to try these Gingerbread Cookie Bars! This recipe brings together all the warm, festive flavors you love in gingerbread — cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and molasses — but without the fuss of rolling or cutting out shapes. The result? Soft, chewy bars that taste just like your favorite gingerbread cookies, but are so much simpler and perfect for sharing at gatherings, gifting, or treating yourself any time of year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to Gingerbread Cookie Bars success. Each component plays a special role in delivering the beloved spicy, sweet flavor and the tender texture that makes these bars irresistible. Here’s what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip any of them:
- All-purpose flour: The structural backbone, giving the bars their soft and chewy bite.
- Ground ginger: The star spice, providing that unmistakable zing and warmth we all crave in gingerbread.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds fragrant sweetness and rounds out the spice blend beautifully.
- Ground cloves: Delivers deeper, earthy spice notes—just a little goes a long way.
- Ground nutmeg: Offers a subtle touch of nutty sweetness that makes a big difference.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise and stay tender while baking.
- Salt: Balances and intensifies all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moisture for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar, packed: Provides sweetness and helps keep the bars nice and chewy thanks to its molasses content.
- Molasses: The essential ingredient for classic gingerbread flavor and deep, dark color.
- Large egg: Adds structure and helps everything bind together smoothly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the spices and rounds out the overall flavor profile.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat
Set the stage for deliciousness by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Either lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This ensures your Gingerbread Cookie Bars lift effortlessly from the pan later, and nobody wants to waste a single crumb!
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Whisking not only blends the spices for even flavor, but also aerates the flour just enough to help your bars bake up light and perfectly spiced in every bite.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Grab a large mixing bowl and beat the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This is the secret to those delightfully soft, chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars — the aeration makes all the difference!
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is beautifully combined and fragrant. The molasses will darken your batter and instantly make your kitchen smell like the holidays.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Try not to overmix — you want the bars to stay tender and moist.
Step 6: Bake
Spread the dough evenly in your prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The hardest part is waiting, but the heavenly smell will keep you in good spirits!
Step 7: Cool and Slice
Let the Gingerbread Cookie Bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares or rectangles. This helps them set up perfectly, so every piece has those iconic straight edges and soft centers.
How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your Gingerbread Cookie Bars with a drizzle of simple vanilla glaze, a swoosh of cream cheese frosting, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a classic look. Festive sprinkles or candied ginger pieces are also fun for adding holiday flair!
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or a mug of hot cocoa or spiced chai for the ultimate treat. The creamy sides play perfectly against the bars’ aromatic spices.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into bite-sized pieces for a party platter, stack them in clear gift bags tied with ribbon, or layer them between sheets of parchment in a holiday cookie tin. However you present them, Gingerbread Cookie Bars bring instant cheer wherever they appear!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Gingerbread Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay delightfully chewy and flavorful, making them perfect for snacking or sharing throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Just cool them completely, layer with parchment paper in an airtight container, and thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for a sweet treat.
Reheating
If you prefer them slightly warm, microwave a bar for 10–15 seconds. This brings back their fresh-baked taste and makes the spices even more aromatic.
FAQs
Can I make these Gingerbread Cookie Bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. The flavor and texture are still fantastic, so everyone can join in on the festive snacking.
Do I have to use molasses?
Molasses is what gives these bars their signature flavor and color, but if needed, you can use dark corn syrup or maple syrup for a milder version. The taste will be a bit different, but still delicious!
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Definitely. Double the ingredients and bake the bars in two 9×13-inch pans for best results. The bars are perfect for potlucks or office parties, and people will gobble them up fast!
How do I know when the Gingerbread Cookie Bars are done baking?
They’re ready when the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Try not to overbake, as you want that soft, chewy texture every time.
What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?
Let the bars cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife. For extra-neat edges, wipe the blade between slices or use a bench scraper for even squares.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to whip up a batch of these Gingerbread Cookie Bars and experience all the warm, comforting flavors they bring. Whether you serve them at a holiday party, share them with neighbors, or sneak one as a midnight snack, they deliver pure joy in every bite. Give them a try — they just might become your new favorite tradition!
Print
Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional gingerbread cookies. With warm spices and a soft, chewy texture, they are perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine the Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For an extra festive touch, drizzle with vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting after the bars have cooled.
- These bars store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
