Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Chewy Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 75 reviews
  • Author: Elina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including cooling and chilling time)
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Chewy Gingerbread Bars are a perfect holiday treat featuring a moist, flavorful gingerbread base topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. With warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these bars offer a chewy texture and a delightful sweetness that’s perfectly balanced by the creamy frosting. Ideal for festive gatherings, these bars can be made in a 9×9 pan and are easy to prepare, bake, and serve chilled.

Ingredients

Scale

Gingerbread Bars:

  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (half a brick), softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Dash of salt

Instructions

  1. Mix Wet Ingredients: Pour the melted butter, sugar, and molasses into your stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture is well combined.
  2. Add Egg: Add the egg to the wet ingredients and continue beating until the batter is smooth.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, toss together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves to evenly distribute the spices.
  4. Mix Dry into Wet: Pour the dry ingredients into the mixer with the wet ingredients and beat just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Prepare Pan: Spray a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Press the gingerbread dough evenly into the pan.
  6. Bake the Bars: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Test by inserting a knife in the center; if it comes out clean, remove from oven. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan; they will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
  7. Make the Frosting: In a stand mixer, combine cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a dash of salt. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
  8. Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled gingerbread bars.
  9. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the frosted bars for at least one hour to help them set and firm up. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

  • If doubling the recipe, use a larger jelly roll pan approximately 11 1/2 by 16 inches.
  • When doubling, bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes instead of 15-20 minutes.
  • Allow bars to cool completely before frosting and refrigerating to prevent frosting from melting.
  • Store leftover bars in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.

Find it online: https://recipes.mbeams.com/chewy-gingerbread-bars-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/