Description
These Chewy Gingerbread Bars are soft, flavorful, and topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting — perfect for holiday treats or anytime you crave a spiced sweet bar.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- Dash of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, mix melted butter, sugar, molasses, and egg until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While bars cool, prepare cream cheese frosting by beating together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars and cut into squares.
Notes
- For a festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting.
- Bars store well in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Can be made ahead and chilled for easy dessert prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Bars
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American