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Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Gingerbread Cookie Bars
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Gingerbread Cookie Bars combine classic warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with a soft, chewy texture in an easy-to-make bar format. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars are quick to prepare, flavorful, and easy to share. Whether enjoyed plain or with add-ins like nuts or chocolate, they deliver a cozy and festive treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Baking Dish: Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to ensure your Gingerbread Cookie Bars come out easily without sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a pinch of salt. This dry spice blend sets the flavorful foundation for your bars.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step builds a creamy base that keeps the bars tender.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Blend in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until fully combined and smooth.
  5. Combine and Fold: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Avoid overmixing to maintain a soft texture.
  6. Bake and Cool: Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts.

Notes

  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs make mixing easier and improve texture.
  • Don’t Overbake: Remove from oven when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs for a perfectly soft bar.
  • Use Fresh Spices: For the most vibrant flavor, use freshly ground spices if possible.
  • Chill Before Slicing: Refrigerate bars briefly to get clean, neat pieces without crumbling.
  • Even Layering: Spread batter evenly to avoid uneven baking and ensure consistent thickness.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread, cookie bars, holiday dessert, soft cookies, spiced bars, molasses cookies, easy bake

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars/