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Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

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Warm, cozy gingerbread cookie bars topped with spiced cream cheese frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings.

  • Author: daniel-kim
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 26 minutes
  • Total Time: 110 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Small pinch of ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice for frosting
  • Optional: sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Mix the dry spices and flour: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and salt.
  3. Combine the melted butter and sugars: In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth.
  4. Add egg and vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture.
  5. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture and mix until no traces of flour remain.
  6. Press dough into the pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, pressing it into an even layer.
  7. Bake until set: Bake for 23 to 26 minutes, until set around the edges but still soft in the center.
  8. Cool in the pan: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 1 hour.
  9. Make the spiced cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla.
  10. Frost and chill: Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing.
  11. Slice and serve: Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

Press the dough evenly into the pan for uniform baking and let bars cool fully before frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daytasty.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars-spiced-cream-cheese-frosting/