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Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

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Warm, chewy, and warmly spiced, these Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting are a cozy dessert that feels like a hug on a plate.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 and 1/4 cups 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 unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 6 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 and 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Small pinch each of ground ginger, cinnamon, & allspice (for frosting)
  • Optional: sprinkles for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
  3. Mix the melted butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and molasses in a medium bowl until smooth.
  4. Add the egg and vanilla extract and combine.
  5. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing until no traces of flour remain.
  6. Press the dough into an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 23 to 26 minutes until set around the edges.
  8. Cool the bars in the pan for at least 1 hour before frosting.
  9. Make the frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually adding confectioners’ sugar and spices, mixing until creamy.
  10. Frost the cooled bars and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
  11. Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

Press the dough evenly into the pan for uniform baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread, cookie bars, spiced frosting, holiday dessert, cream cheese frosting

Find it online: https://swifttasty.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars-spiced-cream-cheese-frosting/