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 extract; 1/3 cup molasses; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 32 reviews

Hey friend, if you’re craving something cozy, warmly spiced, and just downright delicious, you’re going to *love* this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe. It’s like the ease of a bar cookie combined with all those nostalgic Christmas vibes you get from gingerbread. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to keep the pan close at all times. Let’s dive in because this recipe truly is fan-freaking-tastic!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: The blend of molasses and warming spices creates an irresistible depth of flavor without complicated steps.
Perfect Texture: The bars end up with crispy edges and a slightly gooey center that keeps every bite satisfying.
Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, so you’re not waiting around for hours to enjoy a treat.
Great for Sharing: Being baked in a 9×13 pan means you can slice into plenty of squares, perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, Christmas Dessert Bars, Easy Gingerbread Bars, Holiday Cookie Bars, Warm Spiced Gingerbread Treats - 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

One of the great things about this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe is how the ingredients come together to create that classic gingerbread flavor we all adore. Each component plays a role, whether it’s adding sweetness, spice, or the perfect chewiness. When shopping, make sure your molasses is robust and your spices fresh — these little details make all the difference.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, Christmas Dessert Bars, Easy Gingerbread Bars, Holiday Cookie Bars, Warm Spiced Gingerbread Treats - 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 gives a nice tender texture and richness that’s essential for moist bars.
Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combo balances sweetness and moisture, with brown sugar adding that subtle caramel note.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor and brings warmth to the spiced profile.
Molasses: This is the star that gives that deep, earthy gingerbread taste — don’t substitute unless you want something very different!
Egg: Helps bind everything together for that sturdy but soft bar consistency.
Baking Soda: Provides a gentle lift and helps with texture.
Flour: The main structure builder — use all-purpose for that perfect balance.
Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that create that multi-dimensional flavor gingerbread is known for.
Salt: It might sound minor, but salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the spices.

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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’ve found this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe to be pretty perfect as is, but I love a good tweak now and then. Play around with the spices or consider frosting options to make it your own — that’s part of the fun!

Spice it up: I once added a pinch of cardamom and it gave the bars an exotic twang I totally fell for — you might too!
Make it vegan: Swap butter for coconut oil and use flax eggs, and you’ll get similar texture with a dairy-free twist.
Frosting flavor: Cream cheese frosting is my go-to for adding tangy sweetness, but a vanilla glaze also works beautifully if you want something lighter.
Add crunch: Chopped pecans or walnuts tossed in before baking add a lovely texture contrast.

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

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients

Before you even turn the oven on, take a minute to measure out and organize your ingredients. I love to have all my spices pre-measured because mixing them into the flour happens quickly. Also, melt your butter and let it cool slightly so it doesn’t cook the egg when you mix—trust me, it makes a difference!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Smooth

In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar with vanilla and molasses. Beat them together for about 1-2 minutes until creamy and smooth. If you have a stand mixer, this step is a breeze, but a hand mixer works fine too—just don’t rush it.

Step 3: Add Egg and Dry Ingredients

Once your butter-sugar mix is smooth, add the egg and stir well to blend. Then whisk together your dry ingredients separately—flour, baking soda, salt, and spices—and add them all at once to the wet mixture. Mix until combined. The dough will be thick, just like cookie dough, so don’t expect it to be runny.

Step 4: Spread Dough and Bake

Grab a silicone spatula or just clean hands to press the dough evenly into a sprayed 9″x13″ pan. This is the kind of dough you want to pat down gently to get an even layer. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it—the edges should get crisp and the center remain a touch gooey.

Step 5: Cool and Optional Frosting

Cool the bars completely in the pan before cutting. This is key because they set up as they cool. If you’re frosting them, I recommend cream cheese or vanilla frosting for an extra special treat. Feel free to jazz it up with holiday sprinkles too — I always do!

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Pro Tips for Making Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Use Fresh Spices: I once used old cinnamon thinking it was fine, but fresh spices gave my bars a much brighter flavor—always worth the extra step.
Don’t Overbake: The bars continue setting as they cool, so risking a little underbake helps keep them chewy and delicious.
Press Evenly: Taking your time when spreading dough ensures that each bar bakes uniformly, avoiding burnt edges or raw centers.
Chill for Cleaner Cuts: I chill the pan slightly before slicing — it keeps bars neat, especially if rich frosting is involved.

How to Serve Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, Christmas Dessert Bars, Easy Gingerbread Bars, Holiday Cookie Bars, Warm Spiced Gingerbread Treats - 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 dusting of powdered sugar or some festive Christmas sprinkles—it adds a little sparkle and extra charm for guests. When frosting, a smooth layer of cream cheese frosting with a few crushed candy canes on top is my ultimate favorite combo.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich hot cocoa for the full cozy vibe. If you’re hosting a holiday brunch, these bars pair beautifully with fruit salad or a light yogurt parfait to balance the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a platter with sprigs of rosemary or pine. It just elevates the rustic, warm feeling. Wrapping squares individually in parchment and tying with twine also makes great edible gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These bars store beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I’ve kept them on the counter covered with foil or plastic wrap, and they stay soft but with that nice crisp edge. If you want to keep them longer, fridge storage is an option but they firm up, so bring them back to room temp before serving.

Freezing

I’ve frozen individual bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then sealed in a freezer bag. They freeze great for up to 3 months. When I’m ready for a snack, I thaw them overnight in the fridge, which helps maintain that perfect texture.

Reheating

To warm up leftovers, I pop a bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or use a low oven setting for about 5 minutes. This softens the bars back up and brings out those wonderful spices freshly baked, as if they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend designed for baking and be sure to check that your baking soda is gluten-free as well. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still shine brilliantly.
Do I have to use molasses?

Molasses is key to achieving that classic gingerbread flavor. You could try dark corn syrup or honey, but I honestly recommend sticking to molasses or you’ll lose that deep, rich taste these bars are known for.
Can I bake these bars in a different pan size?

It’s best to stick with a 9×13-inch pan to get the right thickness and bake time. A smaller pan will yield thicker bars; adjust baking time accordingly, likely needing more time. A larger pan will produce thinner bars, so watch carefully to avoid overbaking.
Should I frost the bars or leave them plain?

Both options are fantastic! Frosting adds richness and a lovely balance to the spices, but these bars are plenty delicious on their own. I usually leave some plain for snack time and frost a few for special occasions.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, especially as the holidays approach. It’s easy, comforting, and hits all the right notes of spice and sweetness that make gingerbread so magical. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these bars as much as I have—it’s like packing a little holiday hug into every bite. Give this recipe a try next time you want to treat yourself or friends; you’ll be glad you did!