Description
These Spiced Gingerbread Bars with Vanilla Frosting are a delightful treat, bursting with warm spices and topped with a creamy, smooth frosting. Perfect for any holiday occasion or cozy family gatherings, they offer a sweet taste of nostalgia that warms the heart.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves and allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Small pinch of ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup molasses (unsulphured)
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and spices in a large bowl.
- Combine melted butter, sugar, and molasses in another bowl; mix until smooth and then add egg and vanilla.
- Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until combined.
- Spread mixture evenly in the baking pan and bake for 25-28 minutes.
- Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least an hour.
- For frosting, beat softened butter, vanilla, and milk until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar until fluffy.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars and cut into squares.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients to ensure proper mixing and baking.
For a different flavor, consider adding orange zest or an extra teaspoon of ginger to the batter.
These bars can be made a day in advance for better flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
