Gingerbread Bars
Indulge in the cozy, nostalgic flavors of the holidays with these soft and chewy Gingerbread Bars, topped with a rich cream cheese glaze. Perfectly spiced with a fragrant blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these bars deliver all the warmth and charm of classic gingerbread in an easy-to-make, shareable treat. The molasses adds a deep caramel-like sweetness, while the cream cheese glaze provides the perfect tangy contrast, making every bite irresistible. Ready in under an hour and baked in a simple 9x9-inch pan, these festive bars are ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a delightful seasonal dessert. Serve these spiced delights with a warm mug of cocoa or coffee for the ultimate holiday pairing!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 85 grams Unsalted butter
- 150 grams Brown sugar
- 80 milliliters Molasses
- 1 large Egg
- 5 milliliters Vanilla extract
- 190 grams All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 2 teaspoons Ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 115 grams Cream cheese
- 120 grams Powdered sugar
- 15 milliliters Milk
- 2 milliliters Vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Let it cool slightly, then whisk in the brown sugar and molasses until smooth.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture, whisking until fully combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
While the bars cool, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and beat until the glaze is smooth and pourable.
Once the bars have cooled completely, pour the cream cheese glaze over the top and spread it evenly using an offset spatula.
Allow the glaze to set slightly, then slice the gingerbread bars into 16 squares or desired portions. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2742 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 122.8 g | 157% | |
| Saturated Fat | 68.3 g | 342% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 525 mg | 175% | |
| Sodium | 3016 mg | 131% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 386.0 g | 140% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.1 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 233.0 g | ||
| Protein | 34.8 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 581 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 16.5 mg | 92% | |
| Potassium | 2289 mg | 49% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
