Gingerbread cookie bars are a delicious and wonderfully festive treat. Packed with flavor and topped with a simple cream cheese frosting, every bite is sweet, flavorful, and tender.

Gingerbread cookies are famous for being “extra” popular around the holidays and these bar cookies are no different. Yum!

I love making gingerbread cookie bars because it’s such a simple way to make on of cookies with much less effort. Who doesn’t like that?

With a 9×13 baking dish or even a sheet pan, you can make several frosted bar cookies in no time flat. No more scooping, rolling, dough chilling, or frustration.

You’re going to love these gingerbread cookies because they are so wonderful. They taste exactly like a traditional gingerbread cookie- but better.

I honestly think I enjoy these more than a standard cookie. They’re soft, moist, and tender… everything a real cookie should be. The cream cheese frosting on top is also an amazing addition that makes them irresistible.

Ingredients needed for gingerbread cookie bars

For the cookie bars you will need:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Cocoa powder
Ginger
Cloves (allspice can be used as a substitute)
Cinnamon
Sugar
Molasses
Vegetable oil
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Maple extract
Orange zest

For the Cream Cheese Frosting you will need:

Cream cheese
Butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream

How to make gingerbread cookie bars

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, spices, and sugar.
Add in the remaining ingredients and then mix until it’s well combined.
Press the cookie dough into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish or in a 17×12 sheet pan and bake as directed for 15-30 minutes as specified in the recipe card below. The cookie will be done baking when a toothpick can be inserted and come out clean.
Let cool before topping with cream cheese frosting.
To make the cream cheese frosting, whisk together the cream cheese and the butter.
Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream.
Whisk everything together until its fluffy and easily spreadable.
Spread over the cookie and slice.

electric mixer full of gingerbread cookie dough and paddle attachment

hands pressing gingerbread cookie dough into glass baking dish

Do I have to keep gingerbread cookie bars stored in the fridge?

If you don’t plan on eating your gingerbread cookies within a few hours then you can keep frosted cookies stored in the fridge for up to a few days. Keep them in a covered container for maximum freshness.

Unfrosted cookies can be left at room temperature in an airtight container. Also, keep any leftover frosting in an airtight container in the fridge for food safety.

What gives gingerbread its flavor?

The combination of spices like ginger, cloves, and cinnamon with molasses is what gives gingerbread it’s traditional flavor.

Molasses works as a sweetener and also gives a distinct flavor and color to whatever is being flavored. Gingerbread flavored goods can range from a traditional cookie to cakes and so many things in between.

You’re going to love these gingerbread bar cookies with cream cheese frosting. Top with some festive sprinkles and serve them up at your holiday party! They’ll disappear fast so set a few aside for yourself first. 😉

3 sliced pieces of gingerbread cookie bars and whipped frosting

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Gingerbread cookie bars are a delicious and wonderfully festive treat. Packed with flavor and topped with a simple cream cheese frosting, every bite is sweet, flavorful, and tender.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cream cheese frosting, gingerbread cookie bars, gingerbread cookies

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings people

Calories 433kcal

Author Alli

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Equipment

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars

3 cups flour all purpose
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves allspice can be substituted
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 tsp maple extract
2 teaspoons orange zest

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
1/2 cup butter room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 tablespoons cream

Instructions

For the Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Whisk together the dry ingredients, spices, and the sugar.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
For thicker bars, press the batter into an even layer in a 9×13 baking dish. For thinner bars, press the batter into an even layer on a standard sized half sheet pan, about 17×12. It will not reach the edges but should be about 3/4 of an inch thick.
For a 9×13 pan, bake for 25-30 minutes. For a sheet pan, bake for 15-20 minutes. In both cases, a toothpick should come out clean.
Let cool and then ice with cream cheese frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

Whisk together the cream cheese and butter.
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream.
Whisk until light and fluffy and easily spreadable.

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Nutrition

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Gingerbread Cookie Bars