Gingerbread Cream Cheese Bars
Gingerbread is the sweet smell of winter. These bars are not only delicious but they are soft and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Gingerbread
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tsp ginger
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Bars
- In a standing mixer combine sugar and butter, whip on medium high speed for 1-2 minutes until lighter in color and texture
- Stir in eggs & vanilla
- Add in molasses and mix until combined
- In a separate bowl combine all the dry ingredients (flour, soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg)
- Turn the standing mixer on low and slowly pour in the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 3 hours or up to 3 days.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Remove the dough from the fridge and press into a greased and parchment paper lined 9x13 pan or cookie sheet if you want thinner bars.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until no longer shiny
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting
Frosting
- In a standing mixer add the cream cheese and butter. Mix until softened and combined.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until combined and smooth.
- Whip on high for 1-2 minutes until lighter in texture.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 407kcal Carbohydrates: 56g Protein: 4g Fat: 19g Saturated Fat: 12g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 5g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 71mg Sodium: 187mg Potassium: 218mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 37g Vitamin A: 630IU Vitamin C: 0.01mg Calcium: 52mg Iron: 2mg