Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Chewy spiced gingerbread cookies in bar form topped with cream cheese frosting - perfect for the winter months!

Gingerbread is quintessential for Christmas and I don't make anything gingerbread...ever. What's wrong with me? So last year, I decided to change that and I picked something gingerbread from my Pinterest boards. I picked out a beautiful first gingerbread dessert recipe and would love to have them again soon. The base is chewy and spiced and wonderful. The frosting is creamy and finger-licking good. The combination of the two is magical and seriously perfect for Christmas. I topped mine with a little homemade gingerbread spice mix.

(Print)
What you need:
For the bars:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. salt

For the frosting:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

1. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugars, vanilla, and molasses.
3. Add egg and stir until combined.
4. Add baking soda, flour, and spice and mix until well combined.
5. Press dough into the bottom of the baking pan.
6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes and then let cool.
7. Once cool, make frosting by creaming together butter and cream cheese.
8. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy and smooth.
9. Spread frosting onto the bars and sprinkle with spices if desired. I used my gingerbread spice mix.
10. Cut into squares and serve. Refrigerate leftovers.

Recipe from Chef in Training

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