Name: Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 26 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) 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 (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, melted; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar (dark recommended); 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; 1/3 cup (113g/80ml) unsulphured molasses (do not use blackstrap; Grandma’s brand preferred); 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 6 ounces (170g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners’ sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice; optional for garnish: sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 43 reviews

If you love the cozy, warm flavors of holiday spice combined with a luscious, creamy topping, you are going to absolutely adore this Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These bars are the perfect treat—soft yet chewy, bursting with rich ginger, cinnamon, and all the classic spices, all topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting that adds just the right amount of sweetness and tang to make every bite feel like a hug from your favorite sweater. Whether you’re serving them for a festive gathering or sneaking a bite during a quiet afternoon, this recipe will quickly become one of your cherished favorites.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows two sides of a rectangular cake with a brown, soft textured base layer. On the left side, a thick layer of smooth, white cream is being spread with a metal spatula that has a wooden handle, the cream swirled in a circular motion. On the right side, the same cake section is fully covered with the white cream layer, decorated with small, orange flower-shaped sprinkles and tiny round red, green, and white sprinkles scattered evenly over the surface. The background has a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

You don’t need a pantry full of fancy ingredients to create these magical Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Everything here plays a key role—from the warm spices that bring the flavor alive to the molasses that gives the bars their distinctive depth and color. Plus, the cream cheese frosting adds that silky finish that keeps you coming back for more.

All-purpose flour (2 and 1/4 cups): The base that gives your bars structure and a tender crumb.
Baking soda (1 and 1/2 teaspoons): Helps the bars rise gently, creating a soft texture.
Ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper: A harmonious blend of spices that delivers the signature gingerbread warmth and complexity.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances and enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors.
Unsalted butter, melted (3/4 cup): Adds richness and moisture to the bars.
Light or dark brown sugar (1/2 cup): Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness – dark sugar is especially wonderful.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Provides brightness and helps create a balanced sweetness.
Unsulphured molasses (1/3 cup): The star of the show, molasses brings that iconic gingerbread flavor and moistness.
Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients and contributes to a tender bite.
Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the spice mixture with smooth, sweet notes.
Full-fat brick cream cheese (6 ounces): The key to the velvety cream cheese frosting that complements the spicy bars perfectly.
Unsalted butter, softened (2 tablespoons): Joins the cream cheese to create a luxuriously smooth frosting.
Confectioners’ sugar (1 and 1/2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting for the perfect spreadable texture.
Small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and allspice: Adds a subtle spice kick to the frosting.
Optional sprinkles: For a festive touch and a little bit of fun on top.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and place the rack in the center position. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure the parchment hangs over the sides so you can easily lift out the bars later. This simple prep ensures your bars bake evenly and come out cleanly with zero fuss.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and all those glorious spices—ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, a hint of black pepper, and salt. This fragrant blend is what infuses the bars with that unmistakable spicy warmth. Setting this dry mix aside keeps everything neat and ready for the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk the melted butter with both brown and granulated sugars, then add the molasses until smooth and glossy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, creating a velvety liquid base that will bind with the dry ingredients to form your dough. This molasses mixture is the heart of the bars’ rich, moist texture.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently with a spoon or spatula until there are no flour streaks left. The dough will be thick, shiny, and somewhat dense—that’s exactly what you want. Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan; it might seem thin, but trust me, these bars puff up beautifully while baking and settle firm and chewy once cooled.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake your bars for 23 to 26 minutes, just until the top is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. It’s better to slightly underbake than overdo it, so the bars stay tender. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely in the pan on a rack—this step lets the bars firm up and makes frosting easier.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

With a mixer, blend the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth for a couple of minutes, then gradually add confectioners’ sugar along with the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and vanilla. Beat until fluffy and creamy. If the frosting tastes a bit too sweet, adding a tiny pinch of salt will balance it perfectly. Spread it evenly over the cooled bars for the luxurious finishing touch.

Step 7: Chill and Slice

To let the frosting set nicely, refrigerate your bars for about 30 minutes before slicing into squares. Use the parchment overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan—this makes cutting neat squares so easy. Add sprinkles if you want to kick up the festive charm.

How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a square dessert bar on a black wire cooling rack with a white marbled surface below. The dessert has two layers: the bottom layer is dense and dark brown with a slightly crumbly texture, while the top layer is thick, smooth white frosting with a creamy texture. On top of the frosting, there are small, colorful round sprinkles in red, green, and white, and flat orange-brown shaped sprinkles scattered across the surface. The front dessert bar has a bite taken out of the corner, showing both layers clearly. In the blurred background, other pieces of the dessert are visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of festive colored sugar, chopped candied ginger, or toasted pecans adds both texture and a beautiful presentation flair. These simple touches make your Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe look irresistible and even more special.

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a warm cup of chai tea, hot cocoa, or spiced coffee to complement the spicy-sweet profile. They also work wonderfully alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve on a rustic wooden board with holiday-themed cookie cutters nearby for guests to make mini shapes from leftover bits. Or wrap individual bars in parchment tied with twine for charming gifts. Your Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe shines whether plated casually or dressed up for a festive occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover bars tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness, especially with the cream cheese frosting. This gives you plenty of time to savor every last bite or share with friends who appreciate a comforting homemade treat.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted bars wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then frost just before serving to keep that cream cheese frosting fresh and creamy.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars a little warm, gently heat individual pieces in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the bars and slightly melts the frosting, creating a dreamy melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s hard to resist.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of molasses?

It’s best to use unsulphured molasses, ideally Grandma’s brand as recommended, since blackstrap molasses is too bitter and strong for this recipe. The right molasses ensures your bars have that classic deep gingerbread flavor without overpowering bitterness.

What if I don’t have all the spices? Can I skip some?

While you can simplify the spices, using the full blend really gives these bars their signature taste. At the very least, keep ginger, cinnamon, and allspice for a well-rounded flavor. Leaving out any can make the bars taste less complex but they’ll still be delicious.

How thick should the dough layer be in the pan?

The dough might look thinner than you expect when pressed into the pan, but this is normal. The bars puff up in the oven and then settle into a thinner, chewier texture. Don’t add extra dough or the texture will change.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but results may vary in texture. The original recipe relies on all-purpose flour for that perfect balance of chewiness and softness.

Why is there black pepper in the spice mix?

Black pepper adds a subtle background heat that enhances the ginger and warms the flavor profile overall. It’s a little secret that makes the bars taste more interesting and less one-note.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of those joyful baking projects that fills your kitchen with heavenly aromas and your heart with warmth. It’s cozy, easy to make, and incredibly rewarding—perfect for sharing or savoring solo with a cozy blanket. Give it a try and watch it become a fast favorite in your recipe box!

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