Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars

The Easiest Way to Enjoy Gingerbread Flavors

Gingerbread is one of the most beloved holiday flavors—rich molasses, warm spices, and a cozy aroma that fills the entire kitchen. But while classic gingerbread cookies are festive and fun, sometimes you want something quicker, softer, and easier to bake. That’s where gingerbread spice cookie bars come in.

These bars deliver everything people adore about gingerbread—soft texture, spiced flavor, deep molasses richness—without any rolling, shaping, or fuss. You simply mix the dough, press it into a pan, bake, slice, and enjoy. They’re one of the easiest holiday desserts to prepare, making them perfect for busy December schedules, last-minute get-togethers, office parties, and family baking nights.

Whether you love chewy cookies, moist gingerbread cake, or soft holiday bars, this recipe is the perfect in-between treat. Just one bake fills the whole home with warm Christmas aroma.

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Why Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars Are Perfect for the Holidays

There are endless reasons these cookie bars deserve a place in your seasonal rotation.

They’re Much Faster Than Classic Cookies

Skip the dough chilling, rolling, and cutting. Just bake everything at once.

Soft and Chewy Every Time

The bar format keeps gingerbread moist from edge to center.

Foolproof Recipe for All Skill Levels

Great for beginners, kids, and anyone who wants a low-effort dessert.

Perfect for Gifting

Cut them into neat squares and pack into treat boxes or tins.

Ideal for Parties

Bars feed a crowd easily—just cut into smaller pieces for potlucks.

Customizable

Top with icing, drizzle, glaze, or mix-ins like chocolate or nuts.

These bars strike the perfect balance between festive flavor and practicality.

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Ingredients for Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• ½ cup molasses

• 1 large egg

• 1 yolk (extra richness)

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

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Optional Toppings & Mix-Ins

• White chocolate chips

• Dark chocolate chunks

• Pecans or walnuts

• Butterscotch chips

• Cream cheese frosting

• Vanilla icing drizzle

• Powdered sugar dusting

• Crushed candy canes

• Maple glaze

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Tools You’ll Need

• 9×13 baking pan

• Parchment paper

• Large mixing bowl

• Electric mixer or whisk

• Spatula

• Knife or bench scraper for clean cuts

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How to Make Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars

Prepare the Pan

Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all spices. Mix well.

Cream Wet Ingredients

Beat softened butter and brown sugar until creamy.
Add molasses, egg, yolk, and vanilla; mix until smooth and glossy.

Combine Wet and Dry

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients slowly.
Mix just until the dough forms—don’t overmix.

Press Dough into the Pan

Spread evenly with a spatula.
Smooth the top for even baking.

Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes.
Edges should be set while the center stays slightly soft.

Cool Completely

Cool in the pan before slicing.
Warm bars may crumble, so patience is key!

Slice and Serve

Cut into squares, rectangles, or even holiday shapes if desired.

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Texture Guide: Chewy, Soft, or Cake-like?

You can customize the texture of your cookie bars:

For Extra Chewy Bars

• Underbake slightly (just until set).

• Add an extra egg yolk.

• Use dark brown sugar.

For Softer Bars

• Add a tablespoon of milk to the batter.

• Bake until lightly browned but soft in the center.

For Cake-Like Bars

• Add an extra egg.

• Increase baking powder to 1 teaspoon.

This recipe is flexible enough to suit all preferences.

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Flavor Variations to Try

Chocolate Gingerbread Bars

Add ¾ cup dark chocolate chunks.

Maple Gingerbread Bars

Mix maple extract into the batter and drizzle with maple glaze.

Frosted Gingerbread Bars

Top with cream cheese frosting for a gingerbread cake bar vibe.

White Chocolate Cranberry Bars

Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.

Gingerbread Blondie Bars

Add butterscotch chips for extra sweetness.

Winter Spice Bars

Add cardamom or allspice to enhance holiday flavor.

Orange-Ginger Bars

Add orange zest to the dough and top with a thin orange icing.

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Decorating Ideas for Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars

Even though these bars are simple, they can look stunning with a few decorating touches.

Minimalist Drizzle

Use white icing to drizzle zigzags across the bars.

Powdered Sugar Snow

Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy look.

Cream Cheese Frosting Swirls

Spread evenly or pipe decorative peaks.

Peppermint Crunch

Sprinkle crushed candy canes over a light glaze.

Christmas Sprinkle Topping

Use red, green, gold, or metallic sprinkles.

Chocolate Drizzle

Drizzle melted white or dark chocolate for elegant contrast.

These decorating ideas make them ideal for cookie trays or dessert boards.

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How to Use These Bars for Parties and Events

Gingerbread spice cookie bars are perfect for:

Potlucks

Easy to transport, serve, and share.

Office Parties

Cut into small squares for finger-food convenience.

Dessert Boards

Add alongside classic cookies, truffles, and brownies.

Teacher Gifts

Wrap bars in clear bags with festive ribbon.

Holiday Bake Sales

These bars stand out because they’re unique and visually appealing.

Christmas Movie Nights

A cozy treat to pair with hot cocoa or spiced tea.

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Make-Ahead and Meal Prep Tips

Prepare the Dough in Advance

Dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours.

Freeze the Dough

Freeze in a sealed bag for up to 3 months.

Freeze the Baked Bars

Freeze sliced bars in layers separated by parchment.

Store Bars at Room Temperature

Keep in airtight containers for up to 5 days.

These bars maintain their soft texture beautifully.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Bars Are Too Dry

• Overbaked.

• Not enough molasses.

• Too much flour added.

Bars Didn’t Rise

• Baking soda or baking powder expired.

• Batter overmixed.

Bars Too Sticky

• Undercooked center—just return to the oven for a few minutes.

• High humidity—refrigerate briefly before cutting.

Uneven Texture

• Dough wasn’t spread evenly in the pan.

Edges Too Hard

• Reduce bake time by 2–3 minutes next time.

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Creative Ways to Serve Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars

Gingerbread Bar Sundaes

Warm bars topped with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

Gingerbread Trifle

Layer bars with whipped cream and pudding.

Coffee Pairing

These bars pair beautifully with:

• Cinnamon coffee

• Ginger tea

• Hot cocoa

• Chai

• Vanilla herbal tea

Holiday Breakfast Treat

Serve small squares with fruit or yogurt.

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Transforming Cookie Bars into Gifts

These bars make unforgettable homemade gifts.

Gift Ideas

• Place squares inside festive cookie tins.

• Wrap in parchment bundles tied with twine.

• Use small boxes with Christmas stickers.

• Pack in clear treat bags with a holiday tag.

Add a Personal Touch

• Drizzle their favorite icing color.

• Cut into shapes with cookie cutters after baking.

• Add a note with the recipe included.

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Why Gingerbread Spice Cookie Bars Are Trending

On Pinterest and holiday blogs, gingerbread bars have become a favorite because:

• They’re faster than cookies

• They’re visually stunning

• They photograph beautifully

• They’re beginner-friendly

• They’re a delicious twist on a classic flavor

• They can be customized endlessly

They capture every warm holiday memory, yet they’re incredibly easy to make.

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Fun Add-Ons Kids Can Help With

This recipe is kid-friendly from start to finish.

Kids can:

• Stir dry ingredients

• Press dough into the pan

• Add sprinkles

• Drizzle icing

• Cut cooled bars

• Package bars as gifts

This makes the recipe a perfect family holiday activity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can these bars be made dairy-free?
Yes, use plant-based butter and dairy-free milk for icing.

Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes—cut brown sugar to ¾ cup for a less sweet bar.

Can I use blackstrap molasses?
It will be stronger and less sweet, but works fine.

Can I frost the entire pan?
Absolutely. Cream cheese frosting is a popular option.

Do these bars freeze well?
Yes, freeze up to 3 months.

Can I add chocolate?
Yes! Chocolate chips are a fantastic mix-in.

Do they crumble when sliced?
No—cool completely before cutting for clean edges.

Can these be made gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

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Final Thoughts: The Perfect No-Fuss Holiday Dessert

Gingerbread spice cookie bars are the holiday dessert we all need—simple, cozy, indulgent, and incredibly delicious. They capture the heart of gingerbread season without any of the extra work that classic cookies often require. With soft texture, rich molasses aroma, and perfectly balanced spices, these bars bring Christmas cheer with every bite.

Whether you’re preparing treats for a crowd, baking for gift-giving, or simply craving a warm, spiced dessert on a winter night, these gingerbread bars are the perfect choice. They’re customizable, reliable, and festive enough to become a yearly tradition.

Enjoy every warm, chewy square—your kitchen will smell like Christmas magic.