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Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Gingerbread Cookie Bars
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Gingerbread Cookie Bars are a cozy, soft, and chewy treat that combine warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with rich molasses for a festive flavor. Perfect for holiday snacks or anytime you crave a comforting sweet, these easy-to-make bars bake up moist and tender, offering a delightful alternative to traditional cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven: Grease or line a square baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for the batter when you finish mixing.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and baking soda. Whisk them together to ensure an even distribution of spices.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring the bars will be tender and moist.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well so all flavors blend together perfectly.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid over-developing the gluten and keeping the bars soft.
  6. Bake the Gingerbread Cookie Bars: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles to maintain their shape and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh spices for the most vibrant flavor, ensuring your ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are fresh and potent.
  • Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and avoid toughness.
  • Watch the baking time: bake until edges are set but center is slightly soft for chewiness.
  • Use room temperature butter and eggs for easier mixing and better texture.
  • If the batter is too soft to slice cleanly, chill the bars before cutting.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread, cookie bars, holiday dessert, soft cookie bars, molasses bars, spiced dessert

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars/