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Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cinnamon Frosting

Skip the dough chilling, dough rolling and cookie cutters and try these gingerbread cookie bars. They're so soft and chewy and the cinnamon frosting is a perfect match!
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Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings: 12
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Bars
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 0.33 cup light brown sugar
  • 0.33 cup white sugar
  • 0.25 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.75 cups flour
  • 1.25 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves
  • 0.25 tsp salt
Cinnamon Frosting
  • 5 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1.25 cups powdered sugar
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 red and green sprinkles for topping

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, light brown sugar, and white sugar. Mix until well combined. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
    0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and salt.
    0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  6. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. It is crucial to let them cool completely before frosting, otherwise the frosting will melt.
Cinnamon Frosting Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
    0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  2. Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the cinnamon frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with red and green sprinkles if desired.
    0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted

Notes

These gingerbread cookie bars are perfect for holidays and easy to make. Make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting!