Can I make these gingerbread bars ahead of time?

Yes. Bake and frost up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Add crushed candy canes just before serving to keep them crisp.

Why are my gingerbread bars dry?

Overbaking is the main culprit. These should be chewy, so pull them from the oven when a toothpick shows just a few moist crumbs, not clean.

Can I substitute the molasses?

Dark molasses is key for flavor, but unsulfured molasses works in a pinch. Avoid blackstrap, which is too intense.

How do I soften cream cheese frosting that's too thick?

Add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until spreadable. Ensure your cream cheese was softened at room temperature first.

Can I skip the candy canes on top?

Yes. The bars are delicious plain, or top with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, or chopped crystallized ginger instead.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Gingerbread Cookie Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 12 tbsp butter, softened plus 4 tbsp, separated; 1 cup packed dark brown sugar; ¼ cup molasses; 2 tsp plus ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour; 2 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ¼ tsp ground cloves; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp baking soda; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 ½ cups powdered sugar; 3-4 candy canes, crushed

CookOSBeta

Gingerbread Cookie Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting | CookOS

Ingredients

12 tbsp butter, softened plus 4 tbsp, separated
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
2 tsp plus ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
3-4 candy canes, crushed

15 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Place 12 tbsp softened butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat until the butter is fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of brown sugar and beat for another 2 minutes until combined.
2
Add ¼ cup of molasses, 2 tsp vanilla, and 1 egg to the bowl, and whisk until just combined. Replace the whisk with the paddle attachment.
3
Whisk 2 ¼ cup flour, 2 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp baking soda together in another large bowl. Add the flour mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture, and slowly stir, gradually increasing the speed from low to medium until the cookie dough is combined, about 5 minutes.
4
Line a Suvie pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray. Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan and gently press into the pan to form an even layer. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5
After your cookie has rested, remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and place the pan in the bottom zone of Suvie. Input settings and cook now. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes (for Suvie 3.0, Bake at 300°F for 35 minutes).
6
After the cook, remove the pan from your Suvie, and let the cookie bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
7
While your cookies are cooling, place 4 tbsp softened butter, 4 oz cream cheese, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low, gradually increasing the speed, until thoroughly combined and smooth. Set the frosting aside until you're ready to decorate your cookies.
8
Carefully remove the cookie sheet from the pan and spread the top with frosting. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and cut into squares before serving.