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What? You guys didn’t think I was going to, like, wait another minute after Thanksgiving to start with the Christmas recipes, did you?
Uh, no. Not happening. I’m all about the Christmas cookie life, my friends.
My tree has been up for two weeks, our house is fully decorated, and when my cookie jar starts looking empty, I immediately bake up a batch of my kids’ new favorite chocolate Christmas cookie. ‘Tis the season, you guys!
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My kids love decorating gingerbread men, but nah. That’s too much work for me. I do one kind of cut-out cookie per year and that kind is always my mama’s butter cookies. They are the best cut-out cookies I’ve ever had and I just don’t have the patience to be rolling out multiple batches of dough and cutting out ten million and one shapes for kids who are going to get bored of the decorating after five minutes anyway.
Gingerbread bars it is!
These bars are thick and chewy. They’re so soft and that cream cheese frosting on top really is just divine.
I don’t like my gingerbread too spicy, so I didn’t use a ton of ginger in this recipe. You can up it, if you like a stronger ginger flavor. I think these are perfectly mellow, though.
Anyway, I hope you love these chewy gingerbread cookies as much as we do!
Chewy Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup butter room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and molasses using an electric mixer.
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until just combined.
- Use a rubber spatula to spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Spread frosting over the cooled bars and serve.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Melissa R. says
These bar cookies taste fabulous. So much easier than making individual cookies and frosting them. This recipe is a keeper.
Karly says
Thanks, Melissa!
Lyn Holker says
Wondering if the amount of vanilla is correct, I’ve never used 1 tablespoon
Karly says
I do use 1 tablespoon, but you can use less if you like.
Carole Betson-Harris says
This requires alot mor ginger for our family’s tastes, but a great recipe!
Ariahna Knight says
These were a huge hit at my holiday party!! Great recipe!
Karly says
So glad to hear that!
Mindy says
I don’t like my gingerbread too spicy either and these look so yummy!
Jillian says
These cookie bars look heavenly, ESPECIALLY with the generous slathering of cream cheese frosting! I never thought of combining the flavors of cream cheese frosting and gingerbread. I will definitely be giving these guys a try!
Vicki says
Can these be frozen?
Karly says
I would freeze before frosting myself. 🙂
Sara says
These look sooo delicious, that FROSTING!!
Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says
Hi! These look and sound ABSOLUTELY DIVINE! I am so glad you’re sharing Christmas recipes already! I feel the same way – we must enjoy absolutely every moment of Christmas cheer! I can’t wait to make these. Thanks for the recipe!
www.ahedgehoginthekitchen.com
Colleen Milne says
I love the idea of bars instead of cutouts! And, the cream cheese frosting sounds fantastic on them. Must try for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie | Worth Whisking says
My husband LOVES ginger cookies! This bar recipe is super easy and made even more delicious with the cream cheese frosting. I may need to add this to my holiday cookie repertoire!
Karly says
Hope you enjoy!
Blair says
This idea is genius! You can frost and decorate, but there’s not the tedious work from a cut-out cookie. I’m with you — one type of cut-out is enough per year. I have NO patience for that sort of thing!
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
It sounds like you are totally ready for Christmas! I’m getting there but I haven’t quite made the transition. I love these gingerbread bars though! Easy for a crowd, chewy, and they come with a cream cheese frosting. Yum.
annie says
I do love getting fancy with the cookies, but I also love-love BARS. So easy, so crowd pleasing, and so classic. And anything with cream cheese frosting is a plus.
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
Ohhh I can’t wait for Christmas! I’m glad you started this early – more time to get the preparations done 😉
Love anything with cream cheese frosting, and these bars look simply delicious!