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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend melted butter, sugar, and molasses until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate the egg, whisking vigorously until the liquid components merge seamlessly and develop a glossy appearance.
- Separately, sift together flour, baking soda, aromatic spices of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and a pinch of salt, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- 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.
- Preheat the oven to a precise 350°F, creating an optimal environment for baking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Allow the baked bars to cool completely within the pan, permitting them to stabilize and develop a rich, chewy consistency.
- 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.
- Once the bars have reached room temperature, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface in a uniform layer.
- 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