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Chewy Gingerbread Bars

by Jamie
If you are looking for a
SimpleHolidayRecipeOfWonder,
I would like you to meet these Chewy Gingerbread Bars. 
They taste just like a gingerbread cookie…but thicker and chewier and just so darn delicious, you won’t believe it. As an added bonus, they are super quick to put together and only take 12 minutes to bake. Did I say they had a lot going for them, or what!?
 
When I made them last week my little boys and I could not stop eating them. 
They kept saying things like…
“Mom, these are dayyyyng gooood.”
and
“Hey these taste like those little men cookies!”
and
“Why can’t I have another one, you ate two!”
and
“What is the meaning of life, would you like me to sweep the floor and don’t you look look stunning today in your ponytail and stretch pants, Mom. Wow…you are one classy lady! Is that globby thing stuck on the bum of your pants frosting or crusty bread dough?”
Ok, they didn’t really say all that but I’m sure they were thinking it.
This recipe comes from my exceedingly classy, 
kind hearted, beautiful, talented, masters degreed and 
very professional dietitian extraordinaire, 
younger sister
Jen.
She’s single.
I just couldn’t help but write it.
Know anybody?
Don’t tell her I said it, ok?
She is one in a million, that girl.
I bet she’s never had crusty bread dough stuck to the bum of her pants. Let’s make these bars, shall we?
 
 
1. Pour the melted butter
 
 
sugar…
 
and molasses into your stand mixer, or large mixing bowl. Beat until well combined. 
 
 
2. Add the egg and beat until smooth. 
 
 
3. In a separate bowl toss together all of the dry ingredients. 
 
 
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the mixer and beat, just until combined. 
 
 
5. Spray a 9×9 pan with cooking spray and press the dough into it. 
6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, do not over bake. Stick a knife into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean…remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely. The bars will continue to cook a bit as they cool. Once frosted the bars will be put in the fridge for an hour…this will also help the bars to set up and not be too doughy. 
 
7. Mix all frosting ingredients together in your stand mixer. Beat until nice and smooth.
 
 
8. Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled bars. Refrigerate for one hour, cut and serve!
Store leftover bars in the fridge, or freezer. 
Enjoy!!!
 chewy-gingerbread-bars-from-jamie-cooks-it-up

Serves: 1 (9x9) pan Prep Time: Cooking Time:
Nutrition facts: NA calories NA fat
Rating: 3.6/5
( 18 voted )

Ingredients

  • Chewy Gingerbread Bars
  • Time: 15 minutes hands on + 10-12 minutes baking
  • Yield: One 9x9 pan full, cut as small or as large as you like
  • Recipe from the lovely and talented Jen Willahan
  • PRINT RECIPE 
  • PRINT RECIPE WITH PICTURE
  • Gingerbread Bars:
  • 3/4 C butter, melted
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1/4 C molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 C flour
  • 2 t baking soda
  • 1 t cinnamon
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/2 t ginger
  • 1/2 t cloves
  • Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (half a brick), softened
  • 2 T butter, softened
  • 2 C powdered sugar
  • 1 T milk
  • 1/2 t vanilla
  • dash salt

Instructions

1. Pour the melted butter, sugar and molasses into your stand mixer, or large mixing bowl. Beat until well combined. 
2. Add the egg and beat until smooth. 
3. In a separate bowl toss together all of the dry ingredients. 
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the mixer and beat, just until combined. 
5. Spray a 9x9 pan with cooking spray and press the dough into it. 
6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, do not over bake. Stick a knife into the center of the bars. If it comes out clean...remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely. The bars will continue to cook a bit as they cool. Once frosted the bars will be put in the fridge for an hour...this will also help the bars to set up and not be too doughy. 
7. Mix all frosting ingredients together in your stand mixer. Beat until nice and smooth.
8. Spread the frosting over the top of the cooled bars. Refrigerate for one hour, cut and serve!
Store leftover bars in the fridge, or freezer. 
Enjoy!!!

Notes

***Note: If you would like to double this recipe, use a large jelly roll pan (I used a 11 1/2 by 16 inch pan while experimenting) and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Allow the bars to cool, then frost and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting.


Recipe from my sweet sister Jen Derrick

Leave a Comment

66 comments

Linda Hearsch November 8, 2020 - 9:16 pm

These are as yummy as they look! I baked a SINGLE batch in a 9 x 13 glass Pyrex pan for 12 minutes, tested the center with a toothpick which came out clean, and left it to set until completely cool. It was baked evenly from the edges to the center. I made 1 1/2 times the frosting in order to cover the larger surface of the dessert bars. Great recipe! My husband agress they are “Very good!”

Reply
The Very Best Christmas Dessert Recipes - Good Living Guide November 23, 2020 - 10:11 am

[…] Chewy Gingerbread Bars from Jamie Cooks It Up […]

Reply
Lynn in London November 26, 2020 - 4:52 pm

Just made these and they are absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for the recipe.

Reply
Gina's Friday Finds | December 11, 2020 | Gina Rae Mitchell December 11, 2020 - 4:09 am

[…] Chewy Gingerbread Bars from JamieCooksItUp.com […]

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Stephanie February 20, 2021 - 9:50 pm

My daughter-in-law made these tonight with Bob’s Red Mill 1to1 gluten free flour. They were terrific!!

Reply
P G February 22, 2021 - 11:35 am

I have just made this following the instructions. I do not have a dough, I have cake batter. I have triple checked the ingredients. (More like 5times, actually). Any ideas?

Reply
Matteo December 17, 2021 - 3:11 pm

Easy to make and the gingerbread has the correct chew. I tripled the spices because we like it spicy. I only wish I added some nutmeg and more ginger to get that gingerbread hearty taste. I will definitely be making this again with a few changes,
Thank you for the recipe

Reply
Carol December 1, 2023 - 11:14 pm

really wanted to make this however couldn’t get past the rediculous amount of advertising. it kept moving the writing. the links to the printable pages doesn’t work either.

Reply
Matteo December 17, 2021 - 3:34 pm

Quick and easy to make, the gingerbread had the correct chew and with the icing made for a delicious bar. I added triple the spices and after tasting them I wish I would have added nutmeg and more ginger, next time. All in all a great holiday desert.

Thank you for the recipe.

Reply
Bre dato December 2, 2022 - 3:24 pm

I can’t stop eating them! This is the best thing I’ve baked all year.

Reply
Angela December 19, 2022 - 6:52 am

Hello! I saw 1 comment saying they baked a single batch in a 9×13 pan. 350 for 12 minutes. I also saw 1 comment saying they vaned a double batch in a 9×13 pan. 350 for 35 minutes. Has anyone else tried wither and can break the tie so I know which one to bake? All the comments seem like if they came out cooked all they way they’re amazing so I’m really love to try it!

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