Name: Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups (595 milliliters/20.2 ounces) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ¾ cup (170 grams/6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; ½ cup (170 grams/6 ounces) molasses; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup (227 grams/8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups (360 grams/12.7 ounces) powdered sugar; 23 tablespoons milk or heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; Holiday sprinkles; Crushed gingerbread cookies

Crisp winter afternoons invite magical gingerbread cookie bars that spark cozy memories and warmth.

Spicy aromas drift through kitchen spaces, promising delectable treats.

Molasses and cinnamon blend into rich, soft layers promising comfort.

Sweet notes of nutmeg dance across delicate textures.

Childhood nostalgia mingles with contemporary baking techniques, creating something unexpectedly delightful.

Soft, chewy squares deliver classic flavors in modern presentations.

You’ll want to share these irresistible morsels with everyone nearby.

Quick Gingerbread Bars
Takes just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy holiday bakers wanting delicious treats without spending hours in the kitchen.
Delivers classic gingerbread flavors in an easy-to-serve bar format that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings and festive parties.
Allows creative customization with holiday sprinkles or crushed cookies, transforming simple bars into personalized seasonal desserts that spark joy and excitement.
Requires minimal ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced home cooks.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the gingerbread bars, use unbleached for best texture.
Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cloves, Ground Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor, use fresh and fragrant spices.
Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a tender crumb, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender texture, use unsalted for better flavor control.
Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture, dark brown sugar offers more intense flavor.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the bars.
Molasses: Signature gingerbread ingredient that gives deep, rich flavor and dark color.
Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle complexity and rounds out the spice flavors.

Frosting Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting with perfect spreadable consistency.
Butter: Provides creamy base for frosting, use room temperature.
Vanilla Extract: Adds delicate flavor to the frosting.
Milk or Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds richness.
Salt: Balances sweetness in the frosting.

Optional Decorations:

Holiday Sprinkles, Crushed Gingerbread Cookies: Festive toppings for visual appeal and extra texture.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over slightly. This trick makes removing the bars super easy later.

Step 2: Create Spice Blend

Grab a mixing bowl and combine:

Flour
Ground ginger
Cinnamon
Cloves
Nutmeg
Baking soda
Salt

Whisk everything together until well mixed.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, blend:

Softened butter
Brown sugar

Cream until fluffy and light. Pour in:

Egg
Molasses
Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and gorgeous.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix- keep the batter delicate!

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Pop into a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean.

Step 6: Create Dreamy Frosting

Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add:

Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Milk or heavy cream
Pinch of salt

Whip until frosting becomes light and fluffy.

Step 7: Decorate with Flair

Once bars cool completely, spread frosting generously. Sprinkle with holiday decorations or crushed gingerbread cookies.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Use parchment paper to lift bars from pan. Cut into squares or rectangles. Serve and watch everyone smile!

Choose Quality Ingredients: Select fresh, high-quality spices like ground ginger and cinnamon to ensure a rich, robust flavor that makes these gingerbread bars truly exceptional.
Prevent Over-Baking: Watch the bars closely during baking and remove them from the oven when the edges are set but the center remains slightly soft to maintain a moist, tender texture.
Create Smooth Frosting: Sift powdered sugar before mixing to eliminate lumps and achieve a silky-smooth frosting that spreads effortlessly over the gingerbread bars.
Customize Decorations: Experiment with different toppings like crushed pecans, white chocolate drizzle, or festive sprinkles to personalize your gingerbread bars for any occasion.
Store Properly: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate to extend their freshness and maintain their delicious flavor.

Store frosted gingerbread bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Remove bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
Slightly warm bars in a preheated oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and bring out the rich gingerbread flavors.

Complement the gingerbread's rich, warm spices with a creamy chai tea that echoes the cookie's cinnamon and ginger notes, creating a harmonious flavor explosion.
Contrast the dense, spicy bars with a cool, smooth vanilla bean ice cream that softens the cookie's intensity and provides a luxurious creamy counterpoint.
Enhance the holiday spirit by pairing the bars with a slightly warmed, spiced red wine that brings out the dessert's deep molasses and warming spice undertones.
Create a decadent experience by matching the gingerbread bars with a caramel macchiato, where the sweet coffee and caramel notes dance beautifully with the cookie's robust flavors.

Gluten-Free Gingerbread Bars: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing rice flour, xanthan gum, and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic spicy flavor.
Vegan Spice Bars: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and swap milk with almond milk to create a plant-based gingerbread treat that's rich in warm holiday spices.
Low-Sugar Gingerbread Option: Reduce brown sugar by half and incorporate monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use Greek yogurt in frosting to lower overall sugar content while keeping the traditional gingerbread profile.
Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream in frosting, replace butter with dairy-free margarine, and select plant-based milk alternatives to create a creamy topping that accommodates lactose-intolerant individuals.

What are the key spices in gingerbread cookie bars?

The key spices are ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These warm spices create the classic gingerbread flavor and give the bars their distinctive taste.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

The bars are done when the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. They should look slightly soft in the middle but not wet or underbaked.

Why do I need to add molasses to the recipe?

Molasses is essential for authentic gingerbread flavor. It provides a deep, rich sweetness and contributes to the dark color and moist texture of the bars.

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Fusion Cuisine Development
Recipe Development and Food Styling
Culinary Writing and Content Creation
Nutrition and Healthy Cooking

Education

Culinary Institute of America

Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation.

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression.

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.