Description
Homemade gingerbread cookie bars blend nostalgic holiday warmth with rich molasses and warm spices. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these treats perfect for winter gatherings and festive celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (595 ml/20.2 oz) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (170 g/6 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (170 g/6 oz) molasses
- 1 cup (227 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups (360 g/12.7 oz) powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsps ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
- 23 tbsps milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
- Holiday sprinkles (optional)
- Crushed gingerbread cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Preheating: Warm oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for effortless extraction.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Wet Mixture Creation: Cream butter and brown sugar until airy, then blend in egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into a harmonious mixture.
- Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to preserve a delicate crumb.
- Pan Preparation: Distribute dough evenly across prepared pan, smoothing the surface for consistent baking.
- Baking Process: Roast for 18-22 minutes until edges stabilize and a toothpick emerges clean, then allow complete cooling within the pan.
- Frosting Crafting: Whip butter, gradually introducing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and salt until achieving a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touch: Once cooled, lavishly coat gingerbread surface with prepared frosting, ensuring uniform coverage.
- Decorative Finale: Embellish with festive sprinkles or crushed gingerbread cookies for visual appeal.
- Serving: Extract bars using parchment paper, slice into desired portions, and present.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to avoid tough, dense bars that lose their soft, tender texture.
- Moisture Control: Use fresh, high-quality molasses for rich flavor and optimal moisture, preventing dry or crumbly results.
- Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients like butter and egg to reach room temperature before mixing, ensuring smoother integration and consistent texture.
- Frosting Consistency: Add milk gradually to frosting, controlling spreadability and preventing runny or overly thick topping that could compromise the bar’s delicate structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg