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Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 15 squares
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. Featuring warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg combined with rich molasses, these bars are baked to a perfect balance of crispy edges and a slightly gooey center. Ideal for sharing or enjoying with a cup of tea, they can also be topped with cream cheese or vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles for added flavor and fun.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 egg

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9″×13″ baking pan by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and molasses. Beat the mixture until creamy, which should take about 1-2 minutes. Using a stand mixer is recommended as the batter will be thick.
  3. Add Egg: Incorporate the egg into the wet mixture and stir until fully combined, ensuring a smooth batter.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients—baking soda, flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt—to the wet mixture. Mix until the dough is well combined and thick, resembling cookie dough in texture.
  5. Spread Dough: Using a silicone spatula or your fingers, evenly spread the thick dough into the prepared baking pan, smoothing it out for even baking.
  6. Bake: Bake the dough in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, checking that the edges turn crispy while the center stays a little gooey. Oven temperatures may vary, so adjust baking time as needed.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before optionally frosting with cream cheese or vanilla frosting and adding Christmas sprinkles. Once cooled and decorated, cut into 15 squares and serve.

Notes

  • If frosting, cream cheese or vanilla frosting pairs well with the spiced bars.
  • Use a stand mixer if available, as the dough is thick and easier to mix.
  • Oven temperatures vary; watch the edges to ensure they do not burn.
  • Molasses gives the bars their distinct flavor—do not substitute unless desired for a different taste.
  • For extra festive presentation, add sprinkles after frosting but before the frosting sets.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 square
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

Find it online: https://ovenandolive.com/spiced-gingerbread-cookie-bars-recipe/