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
- 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