Gingerbread Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (219 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup (151 g) unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup (133 g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup (119 ml) fancy molasses
• 1 large egg

Cream Cheese Icing

• 1/2 cup (116 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (114 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups (330 g) icing sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• holiday sprinkles, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or grease the pan with butter. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl add your dry ingredients; flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together to combine and set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, add melted butter, brown sugar, molasses and the egg. Whisk together until smooth and well incorporated.
4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and using a large spatula, mix to combine.
5. Add the batter in sections to your prepared baking pan. This is so it's easier to spread as the batter is on the thicker side.
6. Bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until the middle is set and the edges have pulled away from the side of the pan.
7. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes then remove the pan to let the gingerbread cool completely.
8. Meanwhile, make your icing. In a large bowl, add cream cheese and butter, using a hand held mixer beat until smooth and incorporated. Add sifted icing sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract.
9. Once the gingerbread is completely cool, frost the top with the cream cheese icing. Add holiday sprinkles if desired, cut and serve.

NOTES

Store gingerbread bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Total Time: 33 minutes
Yield: 24 Lrg 48 Sml

Thank you Alie Romano for the recipe. Discover expert tips and techniques for Gingerbread Bars at Baking For Friends.