Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Cozy Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe: Snug Winter Sweetness

Cozy winter afternoons spark magical moments with gingerbread cookie bars that dance between nostalgia and sweet comfort.

Warm spices whisper memories of grandmother’s kitchen and festive celebrations.

Molasses and brown sugar create a rich, deep flavor profile that melts hearts instantly.

Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg intertwine like old friends sharing delightful secrets.

Each bite promises a journey through childhood winter memories and simple joys.

Soft, chewy textures invite you to savor every delectable crumb.

These bars will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

  • Craft Comfort Quickly: Combine simple ingredients to create a hearty, satisfying meal that brings warmth and joy to your dinner table without complex cooking skills.
  • Customize With Ease: Swap vegetables, use leftover chicken, or adjust cheese quantities to match your family's taste preferences and pantry ingredients.
  • One-Dish Wonder: Streamline meal preparation by using a single baking dish that goes directly from oven to table, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy households.
  • Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with protein, vegetables, and cheesy biscuit topping, this recipe appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime enjoyable for everyone.
For the Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the gingerbread bars.
  • Ground Ginger: Delivers the classic warm and spicy flavor signature to gingerbread.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds a sweet and aromatic warmth to the cookie bars.
  • Ground Cloves: Contributes a deep, rich spice note to enhance the gingerbread flavor.
For the Binding and Moisture:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, tender base and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and a deep, caramel-like flavor to the bars.
  • Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and adds structure to the baked goods.
  • Molasses: Gives a deep, complex sweetness and contributes to the classic gingerbread color.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile.
For the Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet and spicy flavors in the recipe.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars Made Easy

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 350F (175C) and get your 9×13-inch baking pan ready by giving it a light coating of grease.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together these powdery pals:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Ground ginger
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In another bowl, whip the butter and brown sugar until they become light and cloud-like.

Crack in the egg, pour in molasses, and splash some vanilla. Mix until everything becomes best friends.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly introduce the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until they just come together – don’t overmix!

Step 5: Spread the Joy

Transfer the dough into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to create an even, smooth layer that covers every inch of the pan.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean and dry.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Let the bars cool completely.

Once they’ve reached room temperature, slice into delightful squares ready to be devoured.

  • Use room temperature butter for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creams perfectly with brown sugar.
  • Replace molasses with honey or maple syrup for a lighter, sweeter flavor profile if traditional molasses feels too intense.
  • Sprinkle powdered sugar or drizzle cream cheese glaze on top for extra sweetness and decorative touch after cooling completely.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain soft, chewy texture and prevent drying out.
  • Add chopped crystallized ginger or dark chocolate chips into the batter for enhanced flavor complexity and delightful texture variation.
  • Chocolate Chip Spice Bars: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a rich, sweet variation that complements the warm spices.
  • Cream Cheese Frosted Bars: Top cooled bars with a tangy cream cheese frosting made from softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
  • Nutty Crunch Bars: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra texture and a nutty flavor profile.
  • Lemon Glaze Bars: Drizzle a simple lemon glaze over the cooled bars, combining powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice for a bright, citrusy finish.
  • Festive Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange gingerbread cookie bars on a rustic wooden board with sprinkled powdered sugar, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries for a stunning seasonal presentation.
  • Cozy Comfort Serving: Warm the bars slightly and serve with a dollop of vanilla bean whipped cream or a scoop of creamy eggnog ice cream for a luxurious winter treat.
  • Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair the gingerbread bars with a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate, creating a delightful midday indulgence that warms both heart and soul.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual bars in parchment paper, tie with festive ribbon, and create charming homemade gift packages perfect for neighbors, teachers, or holiday gatherings.
  • Keep gingerbread cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain soft and fresh by placing a piece of bread in the container to maintain moisture.
  • Seal bars in a sealed container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap, which preserves their texture and flavor for up to 7 days when stored in the refrigerator.
  • Layer bars between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, allowing them to freeze flat for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving to maintain their original taste and texture.

FAQs

  • What gives these gingerbread bars their signature flavor?

The combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates the classic warm, spicy taste that defines traditional gingerbread, giving these bars their rich and nostalgic flavor profile.

  • Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that has a 1:1 baking ratio to achieve similar texture and taste while accommodating gluten sensitivities.

  • How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the bars – if it comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs, the bars are done. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft, chewy texture.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 39 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Delightful gingerbread cookie bars bring warmth from classic holiday spices. Molasses and brown sugar create rich, comforting layers you’ll savor with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup (80 ml) molasses
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients – flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt – in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until pale and airy, approximately 3 minutes.
  4. Incorporate egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
  5. Gently fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated without overmixing.
  6. Transfer batter to prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a level surface.
  7. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 22-24 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge with minimal crumbs.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan for 45-60 minutes before slicing into uniform squares.
  9. For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe blade between slices to maintain neat edges.

Notes

  • Enhance the spice blend by toasting whole spices before grinding, which intensifies their warm, rich flavors and adds depth to the gingerbread bars.
  • Swap traditional wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or oat flour for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the recipe’s delicious texture.
  • Control moisture by using blackstrap molasses for a deeper, less sweet taste and adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to prevent the bars from becoming too dense or dry.
  • Create variation by adding optional mix-ins like crystallized ginger, dark chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to customize the bars and introduce extra texture and complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 182 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 121 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 27 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star