Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
If you love the cozy flavors of gingerbread but want something easier than rolling out cookies, these Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect holiday treat. Soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices, they’re baked in a simple 7-inch square mold, no cutters or chilling required!
Once baked, the bars are topped with a luscious layer of tangy cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of Christmas-themed sprinkle mix for a festive touch. Every bite tastes like holiday cheer!
Ingredients：
For the Gingerbread Bars
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 80g brown sugar
- 60g honey
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 160g all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 100g cream cheese, softened
- 40g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g powdered sugar (sifted)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration
- Gingerbread House Party Hot Cocoa Toppings
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (338°F). Line a 7-inch square mold with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add wet ingredients: Mix in honey and egg until smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients: Sift in flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until just combined.
5. Bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared mold. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center looks slightly soft.
6. Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Make the Frosting
1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar and Vanilla, and beat until creamy and fluffy.
3. Spread evenly over the cooled gingerbread bars.
Decoration
• Sprinkle Gingerbread House Party Hot Cocoa Toppings over the frosting for a festive look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Q1: Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the gingerbread bars 1–2 days ahead and store them (unfrosted) in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost and decorate before serving for the freshest taste.
Q2: How should I store the frosted bars?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes before serving so the frosting softens.
Q3: Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting.
Q4: Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Double all the ingredients and bake in a 9x13-inch pan. The baking time may increase slightly (around 25–28 minutes).
Q5: My bars turned out dry — what happened?
Overbaking is the most common cause. The bars should look slightly soft in the center when you take them out; they’ll continue to set as they cool.