Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
These delightful gingerbread bars infused with warm spices and topped with cream cheese frosting are a perfect festive treat.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Bars
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour Spoon and leveled for accuracy
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened At room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 large eggs Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened At room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened At room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- as needed tablespoons milk For consistency
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add the molasses, eggs, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Baking
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan.
Frosting
- Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Add milk as needed for consistency.
Finishing Touches
- Once the bars are cool, frost evenly with the cream cheese frosting.
- Cut into squares or rectangles for serving.
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Notes
Store bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.