Are you craving the warm, comforting flavors of the holiday season? Look no further than these delicious Gingerbread Cookie Bars! With their rich, spiced flavor and chewy texture, they're a delightful twist on classic gingerbread cookies. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a festive office party, or just want to indulge in something sweet, this recipe is perfect for satisfying your cravings. Keep reading for the full recipe, tips, and tricks to ensure your gingerbread cookie bars turn out perfect every time!
What are Gingerbread Cookie Bars?
Gingerbread cookie bars are a sweet, spiced dessert made by combining the classic flavors of gingerbread cookies—molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—with the convenience of bar cookies. Instead of rolling individual cookies, this batter is spread in a pan, baked, and then cut into bars. The result is a thick, chewy treat with all the nostalgia of gingerbread in a simpler format. If you love the taste of gingerbread but prefer an easier, faster recipe, these gingerbread cookie bars are the perfect solution.
Ingredients List for Gingerbread Cookie Bars
To make a batch of delicious gingerbread cookie bars, gather the following ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
These ingredients form the base of your gingerbread cookie bars and provide that signature holiday flavor. The mix of spices and molasses brings warmth and sweetness, while the brown sugar adds a chewy texture.
Substitutions and Variations
If you're missing an ingredient or want to add your own personal twist to the recipe, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy substitutions and fun variations you can try:
- Butter Substitutes: If you need a dairy-free option, you can use coconut oil or a plant-based butter. The texture may be slightly different, but the bars will still be delicious.
- Sugar Variations: Light brown sugar gives the bars a mild caramel flavor, but you can substitute dark brown sugar for a richer, deeper taste. You can also try using coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
- Molasses Alternatives: If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute maple syrup or honey. Just note that the flavor won’t be quite as rich or traditional, but still tasty!
- Spice Adjustments: If you prefer a stronger or milder spice profile, feel free to adjust the amounts of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to suit your taste.
- Add-Ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider mixing in ½ cup of chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts into the batter.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to start baking! Follow this simple guide for delicious gingerbread cookie bars:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla: To the butter mixture, add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Spread the Batter: Once your dough is ready, spread it evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula. The batter will be thick, so take your time to get it evenly distributed.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as you want the bars to stay soft and chewy.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, cut them into squares or rectangles.
How to Cook Gingerbread Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
To ensure your gingerbread cookie bars come out perfect every time, follow these tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This ensures that they mix together smoothly and create a light, fluffy batter.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, be gentle. Overmixing can result in tough, dense bars instead of soft and chewy ones.
- Even Spreading: Take your time to spread the batter evenly in the pan. An offset spatula or the back of a spoon works well to get into the corners and smooth out the top.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making gingerbread cookie bars is relatively simple, but there are a few common mistakes to watch out for:
- Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your bars as they bake. Overbaking will make them dry and crumbly instead of soft and chewy.
- Inaccurate Measurements: Be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Too much flour can make the bars dense and dry.
- Using Cold Butter: Cold butter won’t cream properly with the sugar, resulting in a dense texture. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Once your gingerbread cookie bars are baked and cooled, it’s time to serve them. Here are some ideas to make your bars look as good as they taste:
- Frosting: A simple cream cheese frosting can add a touch of sweetness and decadence to your bars. Spread a layer on top before cutting, or pipe it on each bar for a more elegant look.
- Drizzle: For a festive touch, drizzle melted white chocolate or a vanilla glaze over the bars. You can even sprinkle crushed peppermint or festive sprinkles on top.
- Dusting of Powdered Sugar: A light dusting of powdered sugar gives your gingerbread cookie bars a classic, holiday-ready appearance.
How to Serve Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Gingerbread cookie bars are versatile and can be served in various ways:
- With Coffee or Hot Chocolate: The spiced flavors of the bars pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or a rich hot chocolate.
- Holiday Dessert Platter: Add your bars to a holiday dessert platter alongside other festive treats like sugar cookies, fudge, or brownies.
- On Their Own: These bars are flavorful enough to stand alone as a simple, sweet treat!
Presentation Ideas for Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Want to impress your guests with how your gingerbread cookie bars look? Try these presentation ideas:
- Gift Boxes: Package the bars in decorative boxes or tins for a homemade holiday gift.
- Stacked Layers: For a party or dessert table, stack the bars in layers on a cake stand, alternating with parchment paper for a rustic touch.
- Holiday-Themed Plates: Serve the bars on festive holiday plates with a sprig of greenery or a few cinnamon sticks for decoration.
Gingerbread Cookie Bar Recipe Tips
To ensure your gingerbread cookie bars are the best they can be, here are a few extra tips:
- Make Ahead: These bars stay fresh for several days, so you can make them ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Gingerbread cookie bars freeze well! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
- Double the Recipe: Feeding a crowd? You can easily double this recipe and bake it in a larger pan for more servings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
A: Ground ginger is recommended for this recipe because it provides a more concentrated flavor. However, if you prefer using fresh ginger, use about 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger for a spicier, fresher taste.
Q: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for structure. The texture may be slightly different, but they will still taste great.
Q: How do I store gingerbread cookie bars?
A: Store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Q: Can I add frosting to these bars?
A: Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting or vanilla glaze both pair beautifully with the warm spices in the gingerbread bars.
Conclusion
Gingerbread cookie bars are the ultimate holiday dessert—easy to make, full of festive flavor, and perfect for sharing. Whether you're baking for a party or just want to treat yourself, these chewy, spiced bars are sure to become a seasonal favorite. Now that you know all the steps, tips, and tricks to making the perfect batch, it’s time to get baking! Share your results with family and friends, and enjoy the taste of the holidays in every bite.
PrintGingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
These delicious gingerbread cookie bars are packed with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, making them an ideal treat for the holiday season. With a soft, chewy texture and sweet icing on top, they offer a simple alternative to traditional gingerbread cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for icing)
- Milk (for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and molasses, and beat until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Let the bars cool completely before preparing the icing.
- For icing, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the spice mix.
- The icing can be adjusted for consistency by adding more milk or sugar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
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