Easy Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe with Few Ingredients

Easy Gingerbread Cookie Bars: A Festive, Spiced Treat with Minimal Effort 🍪✨🎄

1. Introduction

Looking for a simple yet delicious holiday dessert that fills your home with warm, comforting aromas? These Easy Gingerbread Cookie Bars are the perfect solution! Made with just a few pantry staples, they deliver all the nostalgic flavors of classic gingerbread cookies without the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, preparing treats for a cozy night in, or making homemade gifts for friends and family, these bars are guaranteed to impress. Plus, they come together in under 30 minutes – perfect for busy bakers!

If you love easy snack recipes that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen, you’ll adore these gingerbread bars. They’re the perfect cross between soft brownies and chewy cookies, with that signature holiday spice we all crave.

2. Ingredients

One of the best things about these simple gingerbread bars is how few ingredients they require. Here’s what you’ll need to create this holiday magic:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – The base of our bars. For best results, spoon and level your flour rather than scooping.
• ½ cup brown sugar (packed) – Adds moisture and caramel notes that pair perfectly with the spices.
• 1 tsp ground ginger – The star spice that gives gingerbread its signature flavor.
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and complexity to the spice blend.
• ¼ tsp ground cloves – A little goes a long way to create that classic holiday taste.
• ½ tsp baking soda – Helps the bars rise slightly for the perfect texture.
• ¼ tsp salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted – Creates a rich, tender crumb. For extra flavor, try browning the butter first!
• ¼ cup molasses – The secret ingredient that gives gingerbread its deep, complex flavor. For an authentic taste, use unsulphured molasses.
• 1 large egg – Binds everything together and adds structure.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – Enhances all the other flavors in the recipe.
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional) – For a pretty finishing touch that looks like snow!

If you’re enjoying these simple ingredients, you might also love our Best Banana Bread Recipe which uses similarly basic pantry staples.

3. Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the perfect temperature when your batter is ready. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two opposite sides. This “sling” makes it incredibly easy to lift the baked bars out of the pan for clean cutting. If you don’t have parchment, you can grease the pan well, but parchment gives the cleanest results.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. This thorough mixing ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout your quick gingerbread cookie bars so every bite has that perfect holiday flavor. For extra insurance against lumps, you can sift the dry ingredients together.

This simple mixing method is similar to what we use in our Quick and Simple Apple Cake, proving that great desserts don’t need complicated techniques.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, mix the melted butter, molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. The molasses might resist mixing at first, but keep stirring until you have a uniform, glossy mixture. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined—don’t overmix! A few small lumps are fine; they’ll disappear during baking. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, so stop as soon as you no longer see dry flour.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula or the back of a spoon. For perfectly even bars, you can gently shake the pan from side to side to level the batter. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The bars will continue to set as they cool. Let them cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares—this patience pays off in clean cuts!

For another easy bar recipe that bakes up beautifully, check out our Cheesecake Bars collection.

4. Tips for Success

• Use fresh spices for the best flavor—gingerbread relies on their warmth! Ground spices lose potency after about 6 months. If your spices are older, consider increasing the amounts slightly.
• Don’t overbake; the bars will firm up as they cool. They should look set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven.
• For extra flair, drizzle with white chocolate or add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar immediately after baking while the surface is still slightly sticky.
• If you love the combination of ginger and chocolate, try adding ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter before baking.

5. Storage & Serving

Store these few ingredient gingerbread bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They actually taste even better on day two as the flavors continue to meld! For longer storage, they freeze beautifully for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.

These bars are incredibly versatile:

• Enjoy them with a cup of coffee for a morning treat
• Serve with hot cocoa for an afternoon pick-me-up
• Package them in cute boxes as homemade holiday gifts
• Bring them to cookie exchanges (they travel well!)

For another great make-ahead dessert option, try our Chocolate Chia Pudding.

6. Variations

• Chewy Gingerbread Bars: Reduce baking time by 2 minutes for a softer, more cookie-like texture.
• Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Add ¼ tsp xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it.
• Vegan: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes) and vegan butter. Ensure your sugar is vegan-certified.
• Spiced Up: Add ¼ tsp black pepper for a subtle kick that enhances the other spices.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Before baking, dollop with a mixture of 4 oz softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, and ½ tsp vanilla, then swirl with a knife.

For more creative baking ideas, explore our cookie recipes collection.

7. FAQs

Can I use honey instead of molasses?
Yes, but the flavor will be milder and less complex. For authentic gingerbread taste, molasses is essential. If you must substitute, use dark corn syrup or maple syrup rather than honey for a closer flavor profile. For more molasses-based recipes, check out this great resource.

Why are my bars dry?
This usually happens from overbaking or using too much flour. Always measure flour correctly (spoon into measuring cup and level off) rather than scooping directly from the bag. Also, start checking for doneness at the 16-minute mark—ovens can vary.

Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Double all ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. The baking time might increase by 3-5 minutes.

8. Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Minimal ingredients—no fancy equipment needed! Just bowls, a spoon, and a baking pan.
• ✅ Faster than traditional gingerbread cookies—no rolling, chilling, or cutting required.
• ✅ Perfectly spiced with that irresistible soft-chewy texture everyone loves.
• ✅ Easily adaptable for different dietary needs (see variations above).
• ✅ Makes your house smell like holiday magic while they bake.

If you enjoy easy desserts with big flavor, you’ll also love our Effortless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

9. Conclusion

These Easy Gingerbread Cookie Bars are destined to become your new holiday baking staple! With their warm spices, chewy texture, and foolproof preparation, they deliver all the nostalgic flavors of the season with minimal effort. Whether you’re a baking novice looking for an approachable recipe or an experienced baker wanting a quick treat, these bars satisfy every craving. They’re perfect for last-minute gatherings, teacher gifts, or simply enjoying with family by the fire.

For more holiday baking inspiration, don’t miss our Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes – another seasonal favorite that’s easier than it looks!

We’d love to hear how your gingerbread bars turn out! Share your creations with us and happy holiday baking! 🎅🍪

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