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Gingerbread Bars

Gingerbread Bars
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Cozy and comforting Gingerbread Bars bursting with warm cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, perfectly balanced with rich molasses and brown sugar. Easy to make and quick to bake, these chewy bars are ideal for holiday treats, snacks, or anytime you crave a sweet spiced dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-ins

  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure your bars come out easily and evenly baked.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until evenly combined, ensuring every bite is seasoned perfectly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer or a sturdy whisk, cream the softened butter with brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—that’s the secret to tender bars with great texture.
  4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until everything is smooth and glossy, creating that rich body and hint of sweetness in each bar.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which could toughen the bars.
  6. Pour into Pan and Bake: Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares, ensuring clean edges and a perfect chew in every piece.

Notes

  • Use softened butter and room-temperature eggs for smooth blending and even texture.
  • Stir just until wet and dry ingredients are combined to keep bars tender and moist.
  • Use unsulfured molasses for the best, pure flavor without bitterness.
  • Start checking baking doneness at 18 minutes to avoid drying out the bars.
  • Cooling completely sets the texture and makes slicing much easier without crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread bars, holiday dessert, spiced bars, molasses bars, easy baking, festive treats

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/gingerbread-bars/