When the holidays arrive, I love baking treats that fill my home with warm spices and cozy aromas. These Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Gingerbread Spice are one of my absolute favorites. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with classic festive flavors — all without the need to roll or cut out dough. Just mix, press, bake, and enjoy!
Quick Facts
-
Prep Time: 10 minutes
-
Cooking Time: 20–22 minutes
-
Total Time: 30–32 minutes
-
Serving Size: 12–16 bars
Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Cookie Bars
If you enjoy gingerbread cookies but want something quicker and easier, these bars are perfect. They have that familiar molasses sweetness, warm spice blend, and a dense cookie texture that melts in your mouth. Plus, they slice beautifully and travel well — great for gifting, parties, or snacking with a cozy drink.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
1/2 cup butter, softened
-
1/2 cup brown sugar
-
1/3 cup molasses
-
1 large egg
-
1 teaspoon vanilla
-
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1 teaspoon baking soda
-
1/4 teaspoon salt
-
1 1/2 teaspoons gingerbread spice (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves)
Optional Topping:
-
Powdered sugar for dusting
-
Vanilla glaze for drizzling
How I Make My Gingerbread Cookie Bars
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan.
-
Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
-
Mix in molasses, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
-
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and gingerbread spice.
-
Add the dry mix to the wet mixture and stir until a thick dough forms.
-
Press the dough evenly into your baking pan.
-
Bake for 20–22 minutes, just until set.
-
Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
-
Dust with powdered sugar or add a glaze if you want extra sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
-
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
-
Pair with hot cocoa, chai, or spiced coffee.
-
Wrap individually and give them as edible holiday gifts.
-
Add a drizzle of white chocolate for a pretty festive finish.
Tips for Customization
-
Make them extra spicy: Add a pinch of black pepper or extra ginger.
-
Add texture: Stir in white chocolate chips or chopped pecans.
-
Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
-
Make them lighter: Reduce the molasses slightly and add 1–2 tablespoons milk.
Nutritional Info (Approx. per bar)
-
Calories: 160–180
-
Carbs: 24–26g
-
Fat: 6–7g
-
Protein: 1–2g
(Numbers vary depending on toppings and serving size.)
FAQs
1. Can I use homemade gingerbread spice?
Yes! Mix equal parts ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Adjust to taste.
2. Why are my bars dry?
They may be overbaked. Remove from the oven as soon as the edges are set.
3. Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Absolutely. Freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature.
4. Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Use a 9×13-inch pan and bake a few minutes longer.
Final Slice
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Gingerbread Spice capture everything I love about the holidays — warm flavors, simple baking, and irresistible sweetness. They’re easy to make, fun to customize, and always a hit with family and friends.
