Name: Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter melted; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 1/3 cup molasses; 1 egg; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 2 cups flour; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon allspice; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 5 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, buttery, and perfectly spiced treat for chilly afternoons or holiday gatherings, you’re going to LOVE this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug — full of fragrant spices and a molasses-rich depth that’ll make your kitchen smell like a festive wonderland. Trust me, once you try these bars, you’ll probably want to bake them all year round.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Spice Balance: Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg come together for a warm, nostalgic flavor without overwhelming your taste buds.
Ideal Texture: These bars are delightfully chewy in the center with crispy edges, hitting that sweet spot between cake and cookie.
Simple to Make: The batter mixes up quickly, and using a 9×13 pan means you can feed a crowd with minimal fuss.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, festive spice dessert, easy gingerbread bars - The image shows a baking dish filled with a dessert cut into six square pieces. Each piece has two visible layers: a thick brown crumbly base and a thick smooth white frosting layer on top. The frosting is neatly spread with soft swirls and is decorated with small red, green, and white round sprinkles scattered evenly. Each piece also has a small white candy shaped like a Christmas stocking, decorated with red and green dots. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The secret to these gingerbread cookie bars feeling so special lies in the harmony of basic pantry staples and a carefully chosen spice blend. Each ingredient plays a role in making the bars soft, sweet, and perfectly spicy.

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, festive spice dessert, easy gingerbread bars - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white bowl of granulated white sugar, a small white bowl of rich brown sugar, a small white bowl of dark molasses, a single whole uncracked brown egg, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with ground allspice, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl of fine salt, and a small white bowl of vanilla extract, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Melted to give the bars a rich, moist crumb and help blend all the flavors smoothly.
Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combination adds sweetness plus moisture and depth — brown sugar brings that caramel note.
Vanilla: A splash enriches the flavor, highlighting the spices and molasses.
Molasses: The star ingredient for authentic gingerbread flavor, adding a deep, slightly bitter-sweet complexity.
Egg: Binds everything together and gives structure to the bars.
Baking Soda: Offers a little lift and ensures the bars aren’t too dense.
Flour: The base – all-purpose flour works best for the ideal balance of chewiness and sturdiness.
Spices (Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg): This blend brings warm, spicy notes that are classic for gingerbread but balanced for broad appeal.
Salt: A pinch enhances all the flavors and cuts through the sweetness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I love most about this Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe is just how versatile it is. You can tweak the spices, swap molasses for honey if that’s what you have, or even add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips. It’s all about making it your own cozy treat.

Variation: Once, I stirred in a handful of chopped crystallized ginger chunks — it added surprising bursts of zing that my family adored.
Dietary tweak: For dairy-free, swap butter for coconut oil with great results, though the flavor shifts slightly.
Seasonal twist: Try adding a pinch of cardamom or cloves during the holidays for a more aromatic profile.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Get Everything Ready & Preheat

First, I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. This simple step ensures the bars slide out cleanly — no one wants to break their cookie bars trying to pry them out!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, I combine the melted butter with sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses. Using a stand mixer makes this easier because the batter thickens quickly — about 1 to 2 minutes until creamy and smooth. If you’re mixing by hand, just make sure everything’s really well combined.

Step 3: Add the Egg for Structure

Now, stir in the egg until it’s fully incorporated. This binds the dough, giving your bars the perfect chewy texture you want in a gingerbread bar.

Step 4: Mix in Dry Ingredients

Add your sifted flour, baking soda, salt, and spices to the wet mixture. Stir until the dough barely comes together — it’ll be thick and a bit dense, which is exactly what you want here. Don’t overmix; just enough for everything to be evenly combined.

Step 5: Spread and Bake

Using a silicone spatula (or your fingers, if you’re like me and don’t mind a little messy fun), press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them because ovens vary — the edges should crisp up, and the middle should still have a slight gooeyness.

Once out of the oven, let them cool completely before slicing into squares. If you’d like, frost with cream cheese or vanilla frosting and top with some festive sprinkles for that extra holiday magic.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use a Stand Mixer if Possible: It handles the thick molasses batter better and prevents overworking the dough.
Check for Doneness Early: Start checking around 15 minutes. The gooiest middle is what makes these bars irresistibly soft.
Press Dough Evenly: Uneven spreading can lead to inconsistent baking, so take the extra minute to smooth it out well.
Cool Completely Before Cutting: This helps prevent the bars from crumbling apart and keeps them neat.

How to Serve Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars, gingerbread cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, festive spice dessert, easy gingerbread bars - A square dessert bar is shown on a white plate with small heart-shaped cutouts around the edge. The dessert has two clear layers: the bottom layer is a brown, crumbly crust, and the top layer is a thick, smooth, white cream. The white layer is decorated with small round sprinkles in red, green, and white colors, with a pair of white candy pieces with red and green stripes placed near the center. The dessert and plate sit on a wooden surface with a red, black, and beige checkered cloth nearby. Part of a glass baking dish filled with the same dessert and a smiling ceramic cup are visible in the background. A woman's hand holds a fork resting on the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love dusting mine with a light sprinkling of powdered sugar or adding a swirl of cream cheese frosting to balance the spice with some creamy tanginess. For holiday parties, colorful nonpareils or edible glitter sprinkles add a festive touch that kids and adults both enjoy.

Side Dishes

Since these bars pack a spicy punch, they’re fantastic paired with a cup of chai latte or hot apple cider. For a brunch spread, I’ve served them alongside fresh fruit and whipped cream — that contrast of tart and sweet is refreshing.

Creative Ways to Present

One Christmas, I cut these bars into tiny bite-sized squares and arranged them on a festive platter dusted with cinnamon sticks and pine sprigs for that extra holiday flair—everyone raved about the presentation! Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine also makes for super cute homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These bars keep beautifully at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. I usually store them in a single layer to maintain their crisp edges and moist centers. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.

Freezing

Yes, these freeze wonderfully! I slice the bars before freezing so I can grab just what I want. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer bag for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature or gently warm in the oven.

Reheating

To revive leftover bars, warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. This brings back that soft, slightly gooey texture and crisps the edges again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the texture a bit rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use different spices in the Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe?

Absolutely! While cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg create the classic flavor profile, you can experiment by adding cardamom, cloves, or even a pinch of black pepper for an extra kick. Just adjust quantities to your taste preferences.
Why is the molasses important in this recipe?

Molasses gives the bars their signature deep, rich flavor and moist texture — it’s essential for authentic gingerbread taste. Substituting with other sweeteners like honey will change the flavor but can work in a pinch.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?

You can try using a gluten-free flour blend, but because these bars rely on structure from the flour and baking soda, you may need to adjust moisture and baking time. I recommend experimenting with your favorite GF mix and checking for doneness carefully.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be nicely browned and crisp, while the center can still look slightly gooey—that’s perfect! A toothpick inserted in the middle may come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Can these bars be frosted?

Yes! Cream cheese or vanilla frosting pairs beautifully with the spice and molasses flavor. Just make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.

Final Thoughts

This Spiced Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it’s simple yet bursting with that classic holiday warmth I crave every winter. It’s the kind of recipe I enjoy making when friends drop by unexpectedly or when I want a sweet pick-me-up after a long day. I can’t recommend it enough — give it a try, and you’ll have everyone asking for seconds (or the recipe!). Happy baking!