Ingredients
Scale
- 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 (I recommend dark)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (80ml) unsulphured or dark molasses (do not use blackstrap; I prefer Grandma’s brand)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
- 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
- small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- optional for garnish: 1/4 cup (43g) sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep your pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your pan with parchment. The parchment handles are your secret weapon for mess-free bar removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. (If you’re like me, this is where you’ll inhale deeply because those spices smell incredible.)
- Combine the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses until smooth. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla.
- Bring it together: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir with a spatula until combined. The dough will be thick, but that’s how it should be!
- Spread and bake: Press the dough into your prepared pan, smoothing it into an even layer. Bake for 23-26 minutes. Don’t overbake—these bars are meant to be soft and slightly underdone in the center.
- Cool completely: Once baked, let the bars cool in the pan for at least an hour. Resist the urge to frost them too early—warm bars and frosting don’t mix.
Notes
How to serve these gingerbread bars
These bars are perfect as they are, but if you’re hosting, why not plate them on a festive tray with some sugared cranberries or a dusting of powdered sugar? They pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or even a glass of mulled wine. For a dessert spread, serve alongside peppermint bark or a classic Yule log cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert