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.
Gingerbread Cookie Bars: Spiced for the Season
Essentials for Gingerbread Cookie Bars
For the Base:For the Binding and Moisture:For the Leavening and Seasoning: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: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.
Tips for Gingerbread Cookie Bars Results
Tasty Twists for Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Gingerbread Cookie Bars for Holiday Tables
Gingerbread Cookie Bars – Keep Them Chewy
FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
- 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
- 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
- Heat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Combine all dry ingredients – flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt – in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and brown sugar until pale and airy, approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
- Gently fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated without overmixing.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan, using a spatula to spread evenly and create a level surface.
- 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.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in pan for 45-60 minutes before slicing into uniform squares.
- 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
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.