Name: Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
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; 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

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 59 reviews

If you’re in the mood for a cozy, warmly spiced treat that’s easy to whip up and always hits the spot, then you’re going to love this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars are soft yet slightly crispy on the edges, boasting all those classic gingerbread spices in every bite. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving a comforting sweet snack, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and pretty foolproof. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure yours turn out just perfect!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Yet Flavorful: The blend of spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg delivers classic warmth without overwhelming.
Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy centers with slightly crisp edges give these bars an addictive bite.
Easy Prep: No tricky rolling or cutting—just spread the batter and bake!
Versatile Sweetness: Use molasses for deep flavor, balanced with both brown and white sugar for richness.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, easy gingerbread dessert, soft and crispy gingerbread bars - The image shows a baking dish filled with a dessert cut into six square pieces. Each piece has two visible layers: a thick brown crumbly base and a thick smooth white frosting layer on top. The frosting is neatly spread with soft swirls and is decorated with small red, green, and white round sprinkles scattered evenly. Each piece also has a small white candy shaped like a Christmas stocking, decorated with red and green dots. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe brings together ingredients that complement each other beautifully to create a rich, aromatic treat. Paying attention to the quality of key ingredients like molasses and spices really boosts the final flavor, so take a moment to choose well!

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, easy gingerbread dessert, soft and crispy gingerbread bars - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white bowl of granulated white sugar, a small white bowl of rich brown sugar, a small white bowl of dark molasses, a single whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground allspice, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of fine salt, and a small white bowl of vanilla extract, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Melted butter blends seamlessly, adding richness and a tender crumb.
Sugar: A combo of white and brown sugar balances sweetness and moisture perfectly.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the spice flavors and adds warmth.
Molasses: The heart of gingerbread flavor—choose unsulfured molasses for smooth depth.
Egg: Binds everything together, providing structure to the bars.
Baking Soda: Leavens the batter just enough to keep bars soft but not cake-like.
Flour: The base that holds the dough; all-purpose works fine here.
Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg: This spice quartet creates that iconic gingerbread aroma and taste.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about the Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe is how you can easily tweak it to match your flavor preferences or dietary needs. I often like to add a little extra ginger to punch up the spice, but feel free to adjust it your way!

Gluten-Free Variation: Swapping out regular flour for a gluten-free blend worked great for my friend with wheat intolerance—just make sure it has xanthan gum for structure.
Spice Boost: I sometimes add a pinch of cloves or increase the ginger for a stronger gingery kick.
Frosting Upgrade: Cream cheese or vanilla frosting on top is amazing if you want to dress it up for guests.
Nutty Additions: Adding chopped pecans or walnuts gives a nice crunch if you’re into texture contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Wet Ingredients

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch pan with non-stick spray—that way, your bars will come out cleanly without fuss. Then, melt your butter (I usually do this in the microwave in short bursts), and toss it in a large bowl with the white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses. Use a stand or hand mixer to beat these together for about 1-2 minutes, until creamy. It gets pretty thick here—that’s totally normal.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Dry Ingredients

Next, crack in your egg and stir until just combined. Then, whisk together your baking soda, flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl before adding the dry mix to your wet ingredients. Mix gently but thoroughly until you have a thick dough, much like cookie dough—don’t overmix or the bars might turn out dense.

Step 3: Spread, Bake, and Cool

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan using a silicone spatula or even your fingers (slightly messy but effective!). Pop it in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the edges—they should be crisp and fragrant while the center remains a bit fudgy. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting to keep their shape crisp and clean.

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Pro Tips for Making Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Use Melted Butter: I find melting the butter makes it easier to mix with the sugars and molasses, creating a smooth batter.
Don’t Overbake: Bars continue to set as they cool—pull them right when edges are firm and centers look slightly gooey.
Spice Freshness Matters: Freshly ground spices make a huge difference; I always replace mine each season.
Even Spreading: Using your fingers to spread the thick dough ensures no air pockets and an even bake.

How to Serve Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, easy gingerbread dessert, soft and crispy gingerbread bars - A square dessert bar is shown on a white plate with small heart-shaped cutouts around the edge. The dessert has two clear layers: the bottom layer is a brown, crumbly crust, and the top layer is a thick, smooth, white cream. The white layer is decorated with small round sprinkles in red, green, and white colors, with a pair of white candy pieces with red and green stripes placed near the center. The dessert and plate sit on a wooden surface with a red, black, and beige checkered cloth nearby. Part of a glass baking dish filled with the same dessert and a smiling ceramic cup are visible in the background. A woman's hand holds a fork resting on the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these bars with a drizzle of cream cheese frosting, which adds a tangy contrast to the molasses sweetness. Sometimes I sprinkle festive Christmas sprinkles for a pop of color, especially around the holidays—it’s a simple touch that delights both kids and adults alike.

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a hot cup of chai tea or a rich latte for the ultimate cozy snack. They also go surprisingly well alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want a dessert twist that’s a little decadent.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like cutting these into bite-sized squares and serving them on a decorated wooden board with some fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary for a charming festive vibe. You could also layer them with whipped cream and fruit for a quick gingerbread trifle that everyone raves about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If it’s warmer in your kitchen or you want to keep them longer, the fridge works fine too, just remember to let them come back to room temp before enjoying so they soften up nicely.

Freezing

Freezing these bars works well! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to eat, I just thaw them at room temperature for about an hour—or warm them quickly in the microwave to get that fresh-baked feel again.

Reheating

To reheat, a quick zap in the microwave for about 15 seconds softens the bars perfectly. You can also pop them in a warm oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes if you want a bit of crispness returned to the edges.

FAQs

Can I make the Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe without molasses?

Molasses provides the signature deep, rich flavor and dark color for these bars, so omitting it will change the taste considerably. You can substitute with dark corn syrup or honey, but the bars won’t have the classic gingerbread depth. If you don’t have molasses, I suggest waiting until you can grab some for the best result!
Can I make these bars dairy-free?

Yes! Try swapping the butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious. Just be sure to use solid coconut oil rather than liquid to maintain the right consistency.
How thick should I spread the dough in the pan?

Spread the dough evenly across the 9×13 pan but try to keep it about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This thickness gives you those chewy centers with crisp edges—thinner will bake too crisp, thicker might stay underdone in the middle.
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely! Mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips are delicious additions. Just fold them into the dough gently before spreading it into the pan.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation, especially once the weather turns crisp. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug—simple, comforting, and full of nostalgia. I know once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again, adjusting the spice level to your liking and sharing it with friends and family. Go ahead, bake a batch and see for yourself why it’s my go-to gingerbread treat—you won’t regret it!

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe