Description
These Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars combine warm spices and rich molasses for a cozy holiday treat. Soft and slightly gooey in the center with crispy edges, they are perfect for festive gatherings or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 egg
Dry Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare Pan: Spray a 9″×13″ baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses. Beat the mixture until creamy and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. A stand mixer is recommended because the batter is thick.
- Add Egg: Add the egg to the wet mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the baking soda, flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until the dough is well combined and has a thick cookie dough consistency.
- Spread Dough: Using a silicone spatula or your fingers, evenly spread the dough into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. The edges should be crispy, and the center slightly gooey; baking times may vary with ovens, so adjust as needed.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before optionally frosting and cutting into 15 squares. Festive Christmas sprinkles can be added if desired.
Notes
- For frosting, cream cheese or vanilla frosting complements these bars wonderfully.
- The batter is thick; using a stand mixer makes mixing easier.
- Ensure the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Use a silicone spatula or dampened fingers to spread dough evenly without sticking.
- Baking times may vary with different ovens; keep an eye on texture to prevent overbaking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
