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Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect way to enjoy the taste of Christmas without all the hassle! These bars have all the classic flavors of holiday-favorite gingerbread without rolling the dough or using cookie cutters. Skip all the fuss and make these easy gingerbread bars!
Why We Love This Gingerbread Cookie Bar Recipe!
- Perfect Holiday Treat: Warm notes of all your favorite holiday spices with rich molasses and luscious cream cheese frosting– the classic flavors of gingerbread!
- Quick and Easy: Mix the dough, bake, cool, and add the homemade cream cheese frosting. This quick and easy recipe is great for last-minute Christmas parties and the busy holiday season. They’re also an excellent addition to all Christmas cookie trays!
- Family Fun: Make these gingerbread bars and let the kids help sprinkle on the fun!
One of my favorite parts of the holidays is the endless array of delicious home-baked desserts and dishes. Cookie exchanges and meals with friends and family are what holiday fun is all about, am I right?
If you usually buy pre-made desserts, these gingerbread cookie bars are a great recipe to break the cycle and make something with love for your friends and family for the first time! You should also try my Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecakes and these Peppermint Meltaway Cookies.
Ingredient Notes
Gingerbread Cookie
- Flour: Give the cookie bars structure with all-purpose flour.
- Baking soda: Add baking soda to help the cookies rise and form a chewy texture.
- Spices: Sprinkle in some warm seasonal spices, like cinnamon, ground ginger, and nutmeg– Yum!
- Salt: A bit of salt contrasts the sweeter notes.
- Butter: Add unsalted melted butter to add creaminess to the recipe and help bind the ingredients.
- Sugar: Both granulated sugar and brown sugar will sweeten the gingerbread cookies. For more molasses flavor, use dark brown sugar, but light brown sugar also works.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract deepens the creamy flavor.
- Molasses: Molasses is key for gingerbread recipes!
- Egg: Add a large egg to the dough to get the right texture.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter brings flavor and richness to the recipe.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese is the delicious base for this simple frosting.
- Vanilla: Add vanilla for a more complex flavor and deeper creaminess.
- Powdered sugar: Sweeten the frosting with powdered sugar.
- Sprinkles: If desired, top the bars with fun and festive holiday sprinkles. It’s fun to use the sprinkles with little gingerbread men for this gingerbread recipe!
How To Make Chewy Gingerbread Bars
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Preheat and prep
Start by warming up the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper, then set it aside for later.
Also, set the butter and cream cheese out so they come to room temperature and are ready for the cream cheese frosting layer.
Step 2 | Combine dry ingredients
Now, let’s get to baking, shall we? Measure the dry ingredients – the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk to combine the ingredients and set it aside.
Step 3 | Mix wet ingredients
Now, you are going to use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugars in a large bowl until the texture is smooth and fluffy. Then, add in the vanilla, molasses, and eggs and mix until they are well incorporated.
Step 4 | Complete dough and add to dish
Time to put the two bowls together. Mix the dry and wet ingredients well with a large spoon or rubber spatula. Then, you are ready to press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer to form the crust.
Step 5 | Bake and cool
Next, slip the pan into the oven and bake the cookie bars for 15 to 20 minutes. Grab those oven mitts and remove the pan, then allow the bars to cool.
In the meantime, make the delicious cream cheese frosting! I dare you not to stick your finger in!
Step 6 | Combine frosting ingredients
Get started on the frosting by adding room-temperature butter, cream cheese, and vanilla to a bowl. Then, use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients until they become creamy and smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar so you do not end up in a holiday cloud of sugar, and mix until it is well combined.
Step 7 | Top, slice, and serve
Once the bars are cool, grab a spatula and spread the cream cheese frosting all over the top of the bars in an even layer and sprinkle with festive Christmas sprinkles! Gorgeous, right?
Slice and serve to enjoy this delicious holiday treat!
Tips
- Mix Until Combined– For the best results, be careful not to overmix the gingerbread cookie dough.
- Frost Cooled Bars– The bars should be completely cooled before topping with the frosting.
- Clean Slices– Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, then slice for cleaner edges.
Variations and Substitutions
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Enjoy chocolate cream cheese frosting on your chewy gingerbread cookie bars by adding cocoa powder to the frosting recipe.
- Citrus Gingerbread Bars: Add orange zest or orange extract to the gingerbread dough for a bright citrus twist.
- Add Chocolate: Fold chocolate chips or chunks into the cookie dough for chocolatey goodness! Add white chocolate chips for a similar effect but with extra creaminess.
- Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting: Add cinnamon to the frosting for more warm seasonal spices.
Recipe FAQs
Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft?
Traditional gingerbread cookies should be slightly soft and become hard when overbaked. Because these are easy gingerbread cookie bars, the end results should be soft and chewy, like the texture of a blondie.
What kind of molasses do you use for gingerbread?
Cooking molasses is commonly used for gingerbread cookies because of its full flavor and richness. Blackstrap molasses is known for being extra bitter.
Can I make cookies with this dough?
Though I have not tried to make cookies with this cookie bar dough, I imagine it wouldn’t work well. Instead, use a traditional gingerbread cookie recipe.
This recipe is part of The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West. Every year, food bloggers get together to share new holiday cookie recipes to make and give.
This year we are raising money for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer, which is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to funding research for new, innovative and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer.
Since 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research in the form of 100+ research grants to leading pediatric cancer centers across the country. From these grants have stemmed 35+ treatments available to kids battling cancer today.
Help us raise money for this important cause! Donate through our fundraising page.
Another exciting thing is that Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is in a matching window with their friends at OXO, meaning OXO will be matching every dollar raised through the end of 2023, up to $100,000. Whatever money we raise will automatically double on our fundraising page!
How to store and freeze gingerbread bars
Keep on the Counter: The cookie bars can be left at room temperature for serving for up to two hours before needing to be placed in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap and stored in the fridge.
Refrigerate: Leftover gingerbread treats will last five days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Freeze for Long-term Storage: To freeze the bars, set them on a baking sheet and slip them into the freezer for a couple of hours. Then, remove them, wrap them with two layers of foil or plastic wrap, put them into a plastic freezer-safe ziploc bag, and freeze for about two months.
What to Serve with Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingluge in holiday deliciousness by serving the frosted gingerbread bars with a dollop of Homemade Whipped Cream, or sip on a Peppermint Hot Cocoa or Homemade Eggnog for the whole experience!
More Holiday Dessert Recipes for Holiday Parties
- Biscoff Cookie Butter Cheesecake Bars
- Christmas White Trash Popcorn Snack Mix
- Peppermint Brownie Mix Cookies
- White Chocolate Cranberry Tart
Recipe
4.95 from 19 votes
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Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Author: Nikki Lee
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These Gingerbread Cookie Bars have all the classic flavor of holiday-flavor gingerbread without rolling the dough, cookie cutters, and all the work.
Ingredients
Gingerbread Cookie
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
Gingerbread Cookie Bar
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt with a whisk. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugars until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla, molasses, and eggs. Mix until completely combined.
Add the dry ingredients and mix with a large spoon or rubber spatula until completely combined.
Add the dough to the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, remove from the oven, and cool completely while making the frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until completely combined.
Spread the frosting on top of the gingerbread bars in an even layer, if desired, top with sprinkles. For cleaner slices, let the bars set in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before cutting.
Notes
- Mix Until Combined– For the best results, be careful not to overmix the gingerbread cookie dough.
- Frost Cooled Bars– The bars should be completely cooled before topping with the frosting.
- Clean Slices– Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for 15 minutes, then slice for cleaner edges.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1bar Calories: 269kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 33g (11%) Protein: 3g (6%) Fat: 14g (22%) Saturated Fat: 9g (56%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 4g Trans Fat: 0.5g Cholesterol: 49mg (16%) Sodium: 241mg (10%) Potassium: 140mg (4%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 20g (22%) Vitamin A: 468IU (9%) Vitamin C: 0.02mg Calcium: 33mg (3%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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Nikki Lee
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.
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These are some of the best holiday cookie bars I’ve ever made! I LOVE how much cream cheese frosting they have on top. That’s the kicker.Reply
I like how you think! I love the frosting too! Thank you so much! I am so happy you enjoyed them!
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Love this Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe, looks so delicious and fluffy. Will make this for the family. Thanks for sharing 🙂Reply
I love how festive and chewy these are! So easy to make and fun to decorate. I made a batch to test them out before the holiday, and I’ll be making another for my family!Reply
Thank you, Nathan! I am so happy to hear you will be sharing them with your family! Enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas.
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This is such a great idea and I love all of the gingerbread flavours with that great frosting too. Easy and delicious.Reply
Thank you, Amanda!
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This Gingerbread bar is delicious. Such a perfect dessert to make for this holiday season.
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Thank you so much! It’s such a great flavor for the season!
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These are so beautiful! I cannot wait to try these cookie bars. Thank you for being a part of The Sweetest Season this year, Nikki.Reply
I love gingerbread but hate rolling out cookies. THANK YOU for this recipe! I already am looking forward to making them again!Reply
Thank you, Megan. I love the taste without the work.
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These are absolutely stunning! And such a fun and unique addition to the Christmas treat table!Reply
Thank you, Sashi!
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I love gingerbread and love that these take the hassle out of gingerbread cookies!Reply
It’s an easy one and perfect for the holiday season!
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Everyone in my family agrees that the combination of gingerbread bars and cream cheese frosting is a WINNER! I followed your suggestion to top them with sweetened whipped cream and they were just fantastic. Pretty and festive, too!Reply
Thank you, Eliza! A little whipped cream is always a good idea!
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These are my kind of gingerbread cookies because they’re less fuss than the cutout kind. (Ha!) Seriously, though, what a festive and DELICIOUS recipe for this holiday season. We’re going to enjoy this recipe for years to come. Thanks for sharing it and participating in our exchange, Nikki!
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Thank you, Erin! I love a good cookie exchange!
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WOW, just wow! I made these for a party this weekend and cut them into bite size squares, I’m not even sure crumbs where left, everyone wanted the recipe!Reply
Oh, I so love to hear this! Made my day! I am glad they were a hit!
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These gingerbread bars were a hit with my family and neighbors at our annual holiday party.
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Thank you, Ellen! I am so glad everyone enjoyed them!
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I love gingerbread during the holiday season and this recipe is incredible!!Reply
Thank you, Jenn! I hope you enjoy you holidays!
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Love the idea of the warm spices + a cream cheese frosting!
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Thank you, Grace! Isn’t it the perfect combination for the holidays!
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I loved these tasty gingerbread bars and how easy they were to make! A second batch will be going to my neighborhood party this weekend, too!Reply
Thank you, Sheila! I love you will be sharing with neighbors!!
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These look so good and so much easier than rolling out dough and making cookies!Reply
Thank you, Liz! I love easy recipes! All the flavor and less work.
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