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 cups flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon allspice; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 17 reviews

If you’re craving something that wraps your kitchen in warm, spicy goodness and feels like a cozy hug, you’re gonna love this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars are the perfect blend of soft, chewy, and just enough crisp edges to keep every bite exciting. I’ve made these a dozen times, tweaking them here and there, and honestly, they’re one of my all-time favorite treats for chilly afternoons and holiday gatherings. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step so you come out with perfect bars you’ll want to make again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Spice Blend: The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice brings warmth without overpowering the molasses sweetness.
Chewy Yet Crisp Texture: These bars bake up tender in the middle with delightfully crispy edges—a texture I adore and you will too.
Simple Ingredients: Straightforward pantry staples come together effortlessly, making it accessible anytime.
Flexible to Customize: Whether frosting them or keeping them plain, they hold up beautifully for any addition you want to try.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, soft chewy gingerbread, festive dessert 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

Let’s talk about these ingredients because each one plays a special role in achieving that classic gingerbread magic—and some have little tricks you might appreciate while shopping or prepping.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, soft chewy gingerbread, festive dessert 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 keeps the bars moist and gives that rich, comforting flavor signature to cookies and bars alike.
Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combo of white and brown sugars balances sweetness and moisture, thanks to that molasses-rich brown sugar.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds off the spice notes, making the flavors sing.
Molasses: The soul of gingerbread! It’s key for flavor and color, so find good-quality molasses—the kind that’s robust but not bitter.
Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together and helps with that tender chewiness.
Baking Soda: Gives a little lift so your bars aren’t dense but have a nice light crumb.
Flour: The foundation, so sift it to avoid lumps and get uniform mixing.
Spices (Cinnamon, Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg): Freshly ground spices will blow canned powders out of the water for taste but feel free to use what you have—this mix is just right for a warm, cozy vibe.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy notes, never skip it—it’s the quiet hero.

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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

I love how versatile this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe is. Sometimes I add a handful of chopped nuts or raisins for some texture, but other times I keep it simple to highlight those spices. Feel free to make it your own!

Add-ins: Walnuts, pecans, or even a handful of chocolate chips add a delightful crunch or sweetness if you want to mix it up.
Frosting Choices: I often swirl cream cheese frosting on top for tang and creaminess, but vanilla glaze is awesome too.
Dietary Mods: Substitute dairy butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, though texture might slightly shift.
Spice Level: Feel free to bump up the ginger or add a pinch of cloves if you want a stronger punch of spice.

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

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always spray my 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray to make sure these bars come out cleanly. You can line the pan with parchment paper too if you want extra insurance—just makes lifting the bars out a breeze!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses. Beat them together until you get a creamy texture—it usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes. Heads up: The batter will be thick, so if you have a stand mixer, now is its time to shine. If not, a strong wooden spoon works too, just arm yourself with patience!

Step 3: Add the Egg

Crack in the egg and stir until it’s completely incorporated. This step helps keep the batter smooth and ready for the dry ingredients.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients & Mix

Whisk together your flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl before adding it all at once to your wet mixture. Mix until just combined—you want a thick dough that feels like cookie dough, not batter. Overmixing here is the enemy of tender bars!

Step 5: Spread and Bake

Use a silicone spatula or even your fingers to spread the dense dough evenly in your prepared pan. The dough will be thick, so take your time to press it out evenly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Ovens vary, so check at 15 minutes—the edges should be crisp and golden, while the center remains a little gooey and soft.

Step 6: Cool & Optional Frosting

Let your bars cool completely before cutting into squares. If you’re frosting, wait until they’re fully cooled to avoid melting your icing. A classic cream cheese or vanilla frosting works wonders here—plus, Christmas sprinkles are an option if you’re feeling festive!

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Pro Tips for Making Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Use Room Temp Eggs: Eggs mix better at room temp, creating a uniform batter without lumps.
Don’t Overbake: Remove bars as soon as edges turn crisp to keep the middle soft and chewy.
Molasses Quality Matters: A rich, unsulfured molasses gives the best flavor without bitterness.
Spreading Technique: If dough sticks to your spatula, just wet it slightly with water—it spreads so much easier!

How to Serve Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread bar recipe, holiday cookie bars, soft chewy gingerbread, festive dessert 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 usually keep things simple with a dusting of powdered sugar or a few festive sprinkles on top if I’ve added frosting. Whipped cream or a small dollop of holiday jam on the side also adds a fun touch when serving at parties.

Side Dishes

These bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of spiced tea, coffee, or even a mug of creamy hot chocolate. For a brunch spread, they’re lovely alongside fresh fruit and yogurt.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I layered these bars with a thin spread of cream cheese frosting and raspberry jam, then stacked a few squares to make mini gingerbread towers for a holiday centerpiece. You can drizzle some melted white chocolate over the tops too for a pretty, festive look that everyone loved.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat.

Freezing

These bars freeze really well! I wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag. When I want a sweet fix, I just thaw them at room temp for about an hour. The texture stays surprisingly close to fresh.

Reheating

If you prefer warm bars, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave revives that soft center and crispy edge combo I love. Just be careful not to overheat or they might dry out.

FAQs

Can you make Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars without molasses?

Molasses is key to that distinct gingerbread flavor and moisture, so I wouldn’t recommend skipping it entirely. However, if you’re out, you could try using dark corn syrup or honey as a last resort—but the flavor will be different, and texture might be off.
How do you know when the cookie bars are done?

Look for golden, crisp edges and a set top with a slightly soft and gooey center. If you poke the center, it should spring back gently, not be wet or too jiggly.
Can these bars be made gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the texture right, and don’t be surprised if baking time varies slightly.
Is it better to frost the bars or serve them plain?

Both ways are delicious and totally up to you! Frosting adds creaminess and looks festive, especially cream cheese frosting. Plain bars let the spices and molasses shine through more boldly and are easier to grab for snacking.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe is one of those cozy, comforting treats I always circle back to when I want something sweet with spice but not fuss. They’re forgiving, versatile, and deliver that perfect balance of textures and flavors. I can’t recommend giving them a try enough—whether you’re new to gingerbread or looking for a fresh spin, these bars will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire. So grab your mixing bowl and molasses, and let’s bake up some joy!