Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Warm Mexican Spices
These gingerbread cookie bars combine cozy holiday spices with Mexican warmth and tradition. Soft, rich, and frosted with tangy cream cheese, they’re perfect for winter celebrations or quiet nights in. Grandma would be proud.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
COOKIE BARS:
½ cup butter, melted
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅓ cup molasses
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 Tablespoons butter, softened
2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
¾ teaspoon vanilla
Holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat melted butter, both sugars, vanilla, and molasses until fluffy (2–3 minutes).
4. Add egg and mix well. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Bake 15–20 minutes, until toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
8. Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
9. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then beat until smooth and creamy.
10. Frost cooled bars. Add holiday sprinkles, slice, and serve.
Notes
Make sure bars are completely cooled before frosting.
Leave off sprinkles if planning to freeze.
Perfect for baking ahead and frosting later.
Find it online: https://www.claricerecipes.com/gingerbread-cookie-bars/