Gingerbread Cookie Bars

By Christie

This dessert is amazing on every level. The flavors are beautiful and nostalgic and perfectly paired. Each flavor complements the others in a wonderful way so they are not overpowering, but each one still comes through. And surprisingly, this dessert is light and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cu sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 cups flour
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground gloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 . Cream butter and cream cheese together in a large mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat until smooth and creamy.
• 2 . Frost the tops of cooled Gingerbread Cookie Bars. (I did not use all the frosting)
• 3 . Cut into squares and serve.

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 90mins

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease a 9" x 13" baking pan.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses.
4. Add egg and stir until completely incorporated.
5. Add baking soda, flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt, and mix until will combined. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the greased pan.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes and let cool. Be very careful to not overcook as this will affect the flavor and consistency. Mine baked for 16 min and the edges looked set.

NOTE: Try sprinkling a bit of nutmeg on the tops. This kicks the flavors up a notch and makes them even more amazing.