Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

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30 minutes mins

25 Comments

5 from 1 vote

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Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (1)

Ready or not, the holidays are here!
I was talking to my husband over the weekend and we decided that we are going to do our best to “simplify” this year . . . we probably won’t be sending out Christmas cards, our schedules are going to revolve around spending time with family, and our Elf on the Shelf probably won’t be making his grand appearance.

I just really want to keep the focus on our family and the spirit of the season. One thing that won’t be any different is baking in the kitchen . . . some of my best holiday memories revolve around being with my mom and sisters in the kitchen and I want the same thing for my kids!

However, these gingerbread cookie bars definitely simplify the cookie-making process! Instead of having to cut out tons of gingerbread men, you get all the delicious gingerbread flavor in an easy-to-make bar cookie. They are chewy and soft and packed full of holiday flavor. Plus, they are easy enough that your kids can help you make them!

So, if you are looking to simplify your holiday season . . . start here. 🙂

These bars can be topped with a dusting of powdered sugar or our favorite cream cheese frosting!

Related recipe: If you love these Gingerbread Bars, you’ll love our Gingerbread Truffles!

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (2)

Serves: 12 people

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

5 from 1 vote

These are chewy and soft and packed full of holiday flavor. Plus, they are easy enough that your kids can help you make them!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • ½ cup butter melted
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

  • Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses and beat until creamy. Add the egg and stir until completely incorporated. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined. Press dough into pan (I just used my fingers to press the dough to the edges of the pan).

  • Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool (don't over cook- I cooked mine for exactly 15 and they turned out perfect).

  • When finished, you can frost them with cream cheese frosting or even cover with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Or, don't top them with anything. They are delicious no matter what you do!

Nutrition

Calories: 245 kcal · Carbohydrates: 41 g · Protein: 3 g · Fat: 8 g · Saturated Fat: 5 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 34 mg · Sodium: 357 mg · Potassium: 178 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 24 g · Vitamin A: 258 IU · Vitamin C: 1 mg · Calcium: 38 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Recipe Details

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Join The Discussion

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  1. Jamie Cooks It Up! says:

    So glad you liked these bars, Camille. :) Thanks for the link back. Merry Christmas! ~Jamie

  2. Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says:

    Love gingerbread, but you are right sometimes it just takes too much time. Definitely saving this recipe :)

  3. Jelli @JellibeanJournals.com says:

    How yummy! I sure wish I could hunt down molasses here in Costa Rica. I just love holiday baking and nothing reminds me more that I'm not in my midwestern hometown than Christmastime cookies with no peppermint chips or gingerbread. Mmm! Pinned this recipe. Thanks, ladies.

  4. Dana says:

    OH HOLY YUM!! Cannot wait to try these! They look absolutely delicious!!

  5. Sandy says:

    These look delicious - and easy! I am going to make a gluten free version - has anyone tried to adapt this recipe yet? I love gingerbread - but afraid cookies will be too crumbly and difficult to work with - this looks like the perfect solution! Thank you!

  6. Tara says:

    Do you think you could double this recipe to make them cookie-sheet size?

  7. Brianne says:

    I was bummed when mine came out way undercooked after baking 20 min. The sides were done but not the inside. This happens when I make brownies also. I blame it on the high altitude in utah. What can I do differently?

  8. Carole says:

    Looks yummy going to take these to Christmas party. Thanx

  9. Rekaya Gibson says:

    I made these on Thursday. They were so good that I'm making more on Sunday. I had to cook them longer than 20 minutes to cook them fully. They still came out perfect, crunchy edges, which I like, and a gooey middle. The spices and molasses had a great balance and made the house smell festive. Thank you.

  10. Cyd says:

    We have only made them in a 9x13, so I don't want to say it will work just fine. But really I don't see why it wouldn't work. Watch them closely and it may require a little more cooking time. Let us know how it all turns out!

  11. Aletha Gardner says:

    I am wanting to make these ahead of time(5 days) for a cookie exchange. i was going to freeze them, do you think that will work and should i frost them before I freeze them, or wait until they thaw to frost?

  12. Sharon Fisher says:

    I just made these and doubled the recipe. I used a jelly roll pan. It's funny that everyone is commenting that they had to cook them longer. I cooked them a little longer, maybe 5 minutes, because I doubled the recipe. They turned out kinda hard. Not just the edges but all of it. Don't know what went wrong. So if you're doubling the recipe, be careful. The cream cheese frosting is yummy, though

  13. Liz says:

    These turned out perfect and delicious!! Will make them time and time again! Do you know if I can make these cutouts instead of bars? They taste amazing and I want to make gingerbread men using this recipe if it will work.

  14. Eva W says:

    I put parchment paper in the pan. Helped them cut so nicely. I baked mine for 20 minutes and they are the consistency of brownies. PERFECT. Will definitely make this recipe again. Yum.

  15. Cyd says:

    Cut outs would be super cute! I think it would work!

  16. Cyd says:

    They will freeze well with the icing on or off.

  17. marianne says:

    Omg... Saw the recipe and had to make them. Thank goodness I froze 3/4 of the pan to take out later this month. To die for!

  18. Jan says:

    Made these last night and they are all gone! These are amazing!..just sayin.

  19. Maureen says:

    I made these bars with the frosting a few times. There is a bakery that is now closed but they had a ginger cookie that my husband loved. These bars remind him of those cookies so he loved these bars a lot.

  20. Christine says:

    “Brown sugar” is listed as an ingredient. Is that dark or light brown sugar?

  21. Cyd Adamson says:

    We usually use light. But either will work just fine.

  22. Cynthia Wilson says:

    I just baked a pan of these as a "trial run" before gifting to three of my favorite nieces and nephew. PERFECTION IN A PAN!! I love the flavor, they cut very nicely (I have LARGE cookie cutters)...This recipe is a keeper for years to come!

  23. Elle B says:

    Glad to see this on here! One of my favorite recipes from your book, along with the Andes Grinch-Mint cookies. I go to your book first around the holidays for a new item to add to my holiday baking every year!

    Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (3)

  24. Momma Cyd says:

    Hi Elle. Tis the season for holiday baking. We love these Gingerbread cookie bars. We are so happy to hear that you make them as part of your holiday baking.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (4)

About The Author:

Camille Beckstrand

Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between ginger snaps and gingerbread cookies? ›

Both are spiced cookies. The main differences are that gingersnaps are typically rolled into balls, while gingerbread is rolled out and cut into shapes. Gingersnaps are also baked slightly longer, which is where they get their snappy crispiness. Gingerbread is typically a little chewier.

Do gingerbread cookies harden as they cool? ›

Gingerbread Cookies are done when they are set and begin to brown slightly at the edges. They will harden further as they cool, so avoid overbaking so you don't end up with hard, crunchy gingerbread! Underbake slightly to achieve soft, slightly chewy gingerbread cookies.

How do you keep gingerbread cookies from cracking? ›

Chilling it for at least two hours or overnight gives the ingredients a chance to absorb one another, making it a whole lot easier to roll out the dough without it cracking. Follow this tip: Let the dough chill in the refrigerator, well-wrapped, for at least two hours or overnight before rolling it out.

What flavors complement gingerbread? ›

If you don't love the flavor of coffee, there are so many other flavor options to pair with gingerbread: lemon, white chocolate, caramel, chocolate – to name a few.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

Are ginger Snaps good for your stomach? ›

The sugar and other ingredients in ginger snaps may irritate the stomach and elevate blood sugar. So avoid using ginger snaps as a source of ginger.

Which molasses is best for gingerbread? ›

Safe to say, we recommend you use sugar cane molasses in our gingerbread cookie recipe! Helpful Hint: Have you ever found yourself without brown sugar when baking? Add (sugar cane) molasses to white granulated sugar and voila, brown sugar!

Should gingerbread be soft or crunchy? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

What happens if you don't chill gingerbread cookie dough? ›

The drying out process also helps you obtain that chewy on the inside, crispy on the edges texture that makes these cookies so delicious. Bottom line, if you skip the chill, you will miss the thrill of decorating perfectly shaped gingerbread cookie cutter shaped cookies.

What happens if you put too much butter in gingerbread cookies? ›

Too much butter made for sticky dough, but delicious cookies. I had to use a spatula to lift these people-shaped cutouts from my flour-dusted countertop and onto a baking sheet. The dough was sticky, which resulted in slightly swollen cookies, but the finished product was nearly perfect.

Why don't my ginger cookies crackle on the top? ›

Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set) Using a single-acting baking powder (double acting gives extra rise when it gets heated) Not creaming the fat long enough (creaming cuts little air pockets into the fat, which means the leavening has to do less work)

Why are my gingerbread cookies so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

What pairs well with gingerbread cookies? ›

Needing to be foiled, gingerbread loves whipped cream. But it also takes to tart winter fruits like a shortcake to strawberries. Poached or broiled pineapple sings alongside gingerbread, as do a few spoonfuls of pomelo curd, garnished with candied pomelo peel.

What candy goes with gingerbread cookies? ›

Here are our favorites.
  1. Spice Drops and Dots. Spice drops and Dots are great for building a perimeter around your house or adding details on level surfaces (like turning them into tasty and colorful roof tiles). ...
  2. Mini Cookies. ...
  3. Holiday Hershey's Kisses and Hugs. ...
  4. Candy Canes. ...
  5. Sprinkles. ...
  6. Gingerbread Cookies. ...
  7. Chocolate Bars.
Dec 6, 2020

What is the main flavor of gingerbread? ›

Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses.

Does gingersnap taste like gingerbread? ›

Introduced in colonial times, the main differences between Gingerbread and Ginger Snaps are a longer bake time for an extra crisp and the use of molasses versus sugar. Molasses was used as substitute for sugar as it was the more affordable alternative to sweetening.

What's the difference between ginger nuts and gingerbread? ›

Ginger biscuit should not be mistaken with gingerbread, because the former is a hard biscuit while the latter is thicker and a bit softer and more bread-like. Ginger biscuits are also called ginger nuts, but they are not the same with the pepper nuts. Again pepper nuts are more like gingerbread.

What is another name for ginger snap cookies? ›

A gingersnap, ginger snap, ginger nut, or ginger biscuit is a biscuit flavored with ginger. Ginger snaps are flavored with powdered ginger and a variety of other spices, most commonly cinnamon, molasses and clove.

What is another name for gingerbread cookies? ›

Gingerbread confections are called pryaniki (sg. pryanik), derived from the Russian term for 'spices'.

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