Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22-25 minutes
Total Time: 37-40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients:

For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, light or dark
• ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk (discard the egg white)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 8 oz brick-style cream cheese, full-fat
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar
• 1-2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and baking soda.
4. In a separate large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Beat in the molasses and vanilla extract, and then beat in the egg and egg yolk.
6. Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture about ½ at a time until well combined.
7. Spread or press the cookie dough into the prepared pan. If pressing with your hands, lightly spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the sides are starting to pull away from the edges of the pan, or an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool the bars fully in the pan.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Beat the softened unsalted butter until fluffy.
2. Beat in the cream cheese until well combined.
3. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon of whipping cream (or milk) until the desired sweetness and consistency are reached.
4. Frost the cooled gingerbread bars, and optionally decorate them with sprinkles.

Enjoy your delicious Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting!