Cozy Chewy Gingerbread Bars Recipe: Festive Holiday Treat

Gingerbread bars burst with warm, festive spices that dance across your palate like winter memories.

These delectable treats capture the essence of holiday comfort and nostalgia in every single bite.

Soft yet substantial textures define this classic dessert, promising a rich sensory experience that goes beyond ordinary sweet snacks.

Deep, complex flavors intertwine with traditional baking techniques to create something truly magical.

Hints of molasses and aromatic spices weave through each carefully crafted morsel, reimagineing simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary delight.

Bakers of all skill levels can successfully master this irresistible recipe that brings comfort and joy to any gathering.

Why Chewy Gingerbread Bars Are a Cozy Favorite

• Capture Warm Holiday Flavors: Bursting with classic gingerbread spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these bars deliver a cozy, nostalgic taste that instantly transports you to festive winter moments.
• Achieve Perfectly Chewy Texture: The carefully balanced ingredients create irresistibly soft and chewy bars with just the right amount of moisture, making each bite wonderfully satisfying and melt-in-your-mouth delightful.
• Quick and Easy Baking Experience: With simple mixing steps and a straightforward method, these gingerbread bars are perfect for bakers of all skill levels, requiring minimal preparation time and delivering maximum flavor in just 30 minutes.
• Dress Up with Creamy Frosting: The luxurious cream cheese topping adds a rich, tangy contrast to the warm spices, elevating these bars from a basic treat to a decadent dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.

Everything You Need for Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Main Ingredients:

• Flour: Provides structure and base for the gingerbread bars, all-purpose works best.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent for proper rise and texture.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves: Classic warm spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor and aroma.

• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create chewy texture, best when melted.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with caramelization.
• Molasses: Signature gingerbread ingredient with deep, complex sweetness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to bar's structure.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base for frosting with tangy flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth consistency to frosting.

• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights other flavors.

Easy Steps to Bake Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Step 1: Prepare Wet Ingredients

• Melt butter in a large mixing bowl
• Add sugar and molasses
• Mix thoroughly until smooth and well combined
• Crack egg into the mixture
• Blend until the mixture becomes uniform and creamy

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Ground ginger
• Ground cloves

Step 3: Create Gingerbread Batter

• Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture
• Gently mix until just combined
• Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture

Step 4: Prepare Baking Pan

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Grease 9×9-inch baking pan with cooking spray
• Spread batter evenly across pan
• Smooth top with spatula

Step 5: Bake Gingerbread Bars

• Place pan in preheated oven
• Bake for 15-20 minutes
• Check doneness with knife test
• Bars should have clean knife insertion
• Remove from oven
• Allow to cool completely in pan

Step 6: Create Cream Cheese Frosting

• Softened cream cheese
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Beat until smooth and creamy

Step 7: Finish and Serve

• Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars
• Refrigerate for one hour to set frosting
• Cut into squares
• Serve and enjoy delicious gingerbread treat

Tips for Perfect Texture in Chewy Gingerbread Bars

• Master the Mixing: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bars tender and prevent a tough texture. Stir just until ingredients are combined for the perfect chewy consistency.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature egg and butter to ensure smooth integration and even mixing of ingredients.
• Prevent Sticking: Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
• Frosting Finesse: Ensure cream cheese and butter are completely softened at room temperature to create a silky-smooth frosting without lumps.
• Cooling Crucial: Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp frosting layer that sets perfectly.

How to Store and Warm Up Chewy Gingerbread Bars

• Refrigerate: Store frosted gingerbread bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm bars gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for soft, delicious texture. Avoid overheating to maintain their chewy consistency.

What Drinks Pair Nicely with Chewy Gingerbread Bars

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Complement the gingerbread's rich, warm spices with a steaming cup of chai tea. The cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger in the chai will enhance the bar's deep, complex flavors, creating a cozy and indulgent taste experience.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool down the spicy warmth of the gingerbread bars with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The sweet, smooth vanilla perfectly balances the intense ginger and molasses notes, offering a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
• Serve alongside Mulled Red Wine: Elevate your dessert with a glass of mulled red wine. The wine's warming spices and deep fruity undertones will beautifully complement the gingerbread's robust flavor profile, making it an ideal winter evening treat.
• Enjoy with Salted Caramel Latte: The combination of a salted caramel latte provides a luxurious counterpoint to the spiced bars. The coffee's richness and the caramel's sweet-salty notes will highlight the gingerbread's complex taste, creating a memorable dessert moment.

Flavor Twists for Chewy Gingerbread Bars to Try

• Spiced Chocolate Gingerbread Twist: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix in 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips for a rich, decadent version that enhances the classic gingerbread flavor profile.
• Nutty Crunch Gingerbread Bars: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking, creating a textural contrast and adding a delightful nutty crunch to the soft bars.
• Citrus Ginger Infusion: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of fresh orange zest into the wet ingredients and replace half the molasses with orange marmalade for a bright, zesty take on the traditional gingerbread recipe.
• Vegan Gingerbread Alternative: Substitute the egg with a flax egg, use vegan butter, and replace cream cheese frosting with a coconut cream-based frosting to make this recipe completely plant-based while maintaining the warm, spicy essence.

Chewy Gingerbread Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Gingerbread bars meld warm spices with rich molasses in a delightful dessert straight from holiday memories. Comfort meets indulgence as each bite transports you to a festive kitchen filled with aromatic charm and sweet nostalgia.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• ¾ cup (170 grams) butter, melted
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 egg

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Dash of salt

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend melted butter, sugar, and molasses until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
2. Incorporate the egg, whisking vigorously until the liquid components merge seamlessly and develop a glossy appearance.
3. Separately, sift together flour, baking soda, aromatic spices of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and a pinch of salt, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gently fold the spiced dry mixture into the butter mixture, stirring with calculated strokes to prevent overworking the batter, which could compromise the bars’ tender texture.
5. Preheat the oven to a precise 350°F, creating an optimal environment for baking.
6. Prepare a 9×9-inch baking vessel by lightly coating with cooking spray, then carefully spread the gingerbread batter, ensuring an even layer that reaches all corners.
7. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent excessive browning. Test doneness by inserting a knife near the center; a clean blade indicates perfect readiness.
8. Allow the baked bars to cool completely within the pan, permitting them to stabilize and develop a rich, chewy consistency.
9. While cooling, craft the cream cheese frosting by whipping together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a delicate touch of salt until achieving a luxuriously smooth texture.
10. Once the bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface in a uniform layer.
11. Refrigerate the frosted creation for one hour, allowing the topping to set and flavors to meld, then slice into elegant squares for serving.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly chewy texture by avoiding overmixing the batter and carefully monitoring baking time.
• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother blending and consistent mixing.
• Create deeper flavor complexity by using robust, high-quality molasses and freshly ground spices.
• Refrigerate bars before cutting for cleaner, more precise square shapes and easier frosting application.
• Test doneness with a knife inserted in the center—a clean blade indicates perfectly baked bars.
• Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and optimal taste.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg