Soft & Spiced Chewy Gingerbread Bars Recipe for Winter Joy

Spicy, warm, and irresistibly soft gingerbread bars dance with holiday memories and cozy kitchen moments.

These delectable treats capture the essence of winter comfort in every delightful bite.

Rich molasses and fragrant spices weave together a nostalgic flavor profile that sings of festive cheer.

The texture strikes a perfect balance between crisp edges and a lusciously chewy gingerbread center that melts in your mouth.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic recipe, passing down its sweet secrets from one kitchen to another.

Each bar promises a burst of warmth and sweetness that connects you to cherished traditions.

Dive into this simple yet magical recipe and let the aroma of ginger and cinnamon transform your afternoon into a celebration.

Tools for Gingerbread Bar Baking

• Stand Mixer or Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for blending wet ingredients smoothly and creating a consistent batter.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution of spices.
• 9×9-inch Baking Pan: Crucial for shaping and baking the gingerbread bars evenly.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent the bars from sticking to the pan.
• Knife: Useful for checking doneness and cutting the bars into squares.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: Helps scrape down sides of the bowl and spread frosting evenly.

Steps to Make Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread Magic

• Butter and Sugar Fusion

Melt butter and combine with sugar and dark, rich molasses in a mixing bowl. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy, creating a luxurious base for your treat.

• Egg Integration

Crack a fresh egg into the mixture, blending thoroughly until the texture becomes uniform and silky.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Whisk flour, baking soda, warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a separate bowl, creating a fragrant blend of winter flavors.

• Batter Harmony

Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just enough to create a unified batter. Avoid aggressive mixing to keep the bars tender.

• Baking Adventure

Warm the oven to a cozy 350°F. Spread the batter evenly in a prepared pan, ensuring a smooth surface for perfect bars.

• Golden Perfection

Bake until the edges turn golden and a knife comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely, letting the flavors meld and intensify.

• Creamy Topping

Whip cream cheese with butter and powdered sugar, creating a luxurious frosting that will complement the spicy gingerbread base.

• Final Flourish

Spread the frosting generously across the cooled bars. Chill briefly to set the topping, then slice and enjoy your delightful creation.

Spice Variations for Gingerbread Bars

• Swap out regular flour for whole wheat pastry flour to add a nutty, wholesome depth to your gingerbread bars.
• Experiment with freshly ground spices instead of pre-ground ones for an intense, more vibrant flavor profile that will make your bars pop with aromatic warmth.
• Transform the cream cheese frosting by adding orange zest or a splash of bourbon for a sophisticated adult twist that elevates the classic gingerbread flavor.
• These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 weeks when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container, making them perfect for holiday prep or unexpected guests.
• For extra chewiness, replace some of the granulated sugar with dark brown sugar, which adds moisture and creates a more luxurious, soft texture in every bite.

Serving Gingerbread Bars at Gatherings

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the gingerbread bars on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, and whole star anise for a stunning winter presentation that screams holiday cheer.
• Cozy Dessert Pairing: Serve these bars alongside a warm mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate to enhance the warm, comforting gingerbread flavors and create a delightful winter treat experience.
• Gifting Delight: Package individual bars in clear cellophane bags tied with festive red and green ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or as a sweet contribution to cookie exchanges and potluck gatherings.
• Garnish Elegance: Dust the frosted bars with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or finely crushed candied ginger to add an extra layer of visual appeal and complementary spice intensity.

Keep Gingerbread Bars Fresh

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Fridge Fresh Strategy: Store these gingerbread bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool temperature helps maintain their soft, chewy texture and keeps the cream cheese frosting stable.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bars entirely 2-3 days before your event or gathering. The flavors actually improve as they sit, becoming more deeply spiced and rich overnight.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. These treats can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, ensuring the cream cheese frosting stays smooth and creamy.
• Serving Temperature Trick: Let refrigerated bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. This slight warming allows the spices to bloom and the texture to soften, creating a more delightful eating experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10min

Cook Time: 20min

Total Time: 30min

Calories: 246 kcal

Servings: 17

Ingredient List for Chewy Gingerbread Bars

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, smooth base and helps bind ingredients together, choose high-quality butter for best flavor.
• Molasses: Delivers deep, robust sweetness and signature gingerbread color, select dark molasses for intense taste.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps create tender texture, look for granulated white sugar with fine crystals.
• Egg: Adds structure and moisture, ensure fresh eggs at room temperature for better mixing.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundational structure, select unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps bars rise and become fluffy, check freshness by testing with vinegar.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Essential spices that deliver classic gingerbread warmth, choose freshly ground spices for maximum flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy base and tangy flavor, select full-fat cream cheese for richest texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting, sift to prevent lumps.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps stabilize frosting, use unsalted for better control.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting flavor, choose pure vanilla for best taste.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency, add gradually to control thickness.

Heavenly Gingerbread Bars

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• Total Time: 30min
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Festive gingerbread bars meld classic holiday warmth with rich, spiced flavors from classic European baking traditions. Molasses and warm spices create a delightful treat that welcomes winter’s comforting embrace for people who savor seasonal desserts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) sugar
• ¾ cup (170 g / 6 oz) butter, melted
• ¼ cup (60 ml) molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp cloves
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsps butter, softened
• 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• ½ tsp vanilla
• Dash of salt

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Instructions

1. Liquid Base Fusion: Whisk melted butter, sugar, and molasses into a smooth, glossy emulsion, ensuring complete integration of ingredients.
2. Egg Incorporation: Blend egg into the liquid mixture, creating a uniform, glistening consistency that sets the foundation for the gingerbread bars.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt together, eliminating potential lumps and ensuring even spice distribution.
4. Batter Assembly: Delicately fold dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, using minimal strokes to maintain the batter’s tender structure and prevent toughness.
5. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper or cooking spray, creating an optimal baking environment.
6. Baking Process: Spread batter evenly across the prepared pan, then bake for 15-20 minutes until a knife inserted near the center emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
7. Cooling and Frosting Preparation: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan while simultaneously whipping cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt into a silky, luxurious frosting.
8. Finishing Touch: Once bars reach room temperature, generously spread cream cheese frosting across the surface, creating a smooth, even layer.
9. Final Refinement: Refrigerate the frosted bars for one hour to set the topping and intensify flavors, then slice into precise, elegant squares for serving.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Accuracy matters in baking, especially with spices and flour, so use level measuring cups and spoons to ensure perfect texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: Gentle folding prevents tough bars, maintaining a tender and soft crumb by mixing just until ingredients are combined.
• Temperature Control: Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, helping create a consistent and well-incorporated gingerbread batter.
• Cool Completely: Letting bars cool entirely before frosting prevents melting and ensures a clean, professional-looking finish with stable cream cheese topping.

• Prep Time: 10min
• Cook Time: 20min
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 137 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg