Chewy Gingerbread Bars: 5 Irresistibly Cozy Bites

Name: Chewy Gingerbread Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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; 6 ounces cream cheese, softened; 3 tablespoons butter, softened; 2 ¼ cups powdered sugar; ¾ teaspoon vanilla; Holiday sprinkles (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been craving that nostalgic, warm-spiced holiday flavor without committing to an afternoon of rolling, cutting, and dusting your entire kitchen in flour, these Chewy Gingerbread Bars are about to become your new favorite little miracle. Truly. As a busy mom, professional, multitasker, or just someone who appreciates dessert you can make between conference calls, this one’s for you.

Around the holidays—when life somehow feels joyful and chaotic at the same time—I lean hard into recipes that give maximum payoff for minimum effort. And these Chewy Gingerbread Bars deliver. They’re soft, cozy, deeply flavored with cinnamon and molasses, and topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting that feels like a warm hug… but with sprinkles.

Why You’ll Love These Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Let’s be honest: when December hits, we’re all juggling a million things—school events, gift lists, work deadlines, holiday travel, and trying to remember where we put the tape last year. So a dessert that’s festive, fast, and wildly delicious? That’s a gift in itself.

Here’s why these Chewy Gingerbread Bars will keep showing up in your kitchen year after year:

They’re unbelievably easy. Stir, spread, bake. No chill time, no cookie cutters, no drama.
They taste like a holiday dream. Warm spices + molasses + cream cheese frosting = magic.
They feed a crowd. Perfect for potlucks, parties, or gifting.
They stay soft for days. The molasses keeps them chewy and tender.

I first made these on one of “those” weeks—the kind where your to-do list looks like a CVS receipt and dinner is… whatever magically appears. These bars saved me. They made the house smell incredible, brought instant calm, and reminded me why I love baking during the holidays.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chewy Gingerbread 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

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

6 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter, softened
2 ¼ cups powdered sugar
¾ teaspoon vanilla
Holiday sprinkles (optional… but come on, it’s the holidays)

How to Make Chewy Gingerbread Bars

These steps are simple, quick, and weeknight-friendly. You don’t need fancy equipment—just a bowl, a mixer, and a jelly roll pan.

1. Prep Your Pan

Move your oven rack to the center position and preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch jelly roll pan with non-stick spray. Set it aside like the organized queen you are.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Baking soda
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves
Salt

This spice mix is what gives the bars their unmistakable gingerbread coziness.

3. Create the Wet Mixture

In your stand mixer (or with handheld beaters), beat together:

Melted butter
Granulated sugar
Brown sugar
Vanilla
Molasses

Mix on medium for 2–3 minutes, until everything looks fluffy and happy. Add in the egg and keep mixing until smooth.

4. Combine It All

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and pulse the mixer until the flour disappears. Then mix on medium for about 1 minute. The dough will be thick—perfect for spreading.

5. Bake to Perfection

Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the bars look darker around the edges and a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. (I know. Waiting is the hardest part.)

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

There’s a reason cream cheese frosting is beloved—it brings the perfect contrast to the warm gingerbread flavors.

Beat the cream cheese and butter on medium for 2–3 minutes until creamy.
Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing gently at first, then turning the mixer to medium-high until light and smooth.

Bring It All Together

Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. Add sprinkles to make them festive and slice into 24 chewy gingerbread squares.

Serve immediately… or store them for a holiday treat all week long. They only get better.

Tips for the Softest, Chewiest Gingerbread Bars

Don’t overbake. Pull them when the center is just set. The molasses keeps them tender.
Let them cool before frosting. Otherwise, your frosting will melt into a sweet, gooey puddle. Delicious? Yes. Pretty? Not so much.
Use dark brown sugar if possible. It enhances that deep gingerbread flavor.
Feel free to add festive sprinkles. The holidays are stressful enough—bring on the joyful extras.
If your frosting feels too thick: Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk.
If your frosting is too thin: Add a little more powdered sugar. Simple fixes, no panic needed.

My Little Gingerbread Story

When I say these Chewy Gingerbread Bars are a lifesaver, I mean it. Last December, I had a week where the dishwasher broke, the kids needed treats for school twice, and my inbox felt like it was multiplying in its sleep.

This recipe? It came through like a best friend who shows up with coffee and tells you you’re doing great. The whole house smelled like a cozy hug, and for once, dessert didn’t feel like another task—it felt like comfort.

It’s exactly why I love slow cooker meals, air fryer recipes, and easy bakes like this: they give you back time without sacrificing joy.

Holiday Chewy Gingerbread Bars topped with cream cheese frosting and festive red and green sprinkles on a white plate. — These Chewy Gingerbread Bars are frosted and decorated with bright holiday sprinkles, making them a fun and festive Christmas treat.

FAQs About Chewy Gingerbread Bars

Can I make Chewy Gingerbread Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely. They stay soft for 3–4 days when stored airtight. You can also bake the bars a day early and frost the next day.

Can I freeze these bars?

Yes! Freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw, frost, and you’re good to go.

Can I substitute the molasses?

Molasses is what gives these bars their deep gingerbread flavor. You can swap in dark corn syrup or maple syrup, but the flavor profile will be lighter.

Can I make them without frosting?

Totally. The bars are delicious on their own, though the cream cheese frosting takes them to holiday-party level.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They stay surprisingly soft, even after chilling.

Bringing It Home

There’s a reason these Chewy Gingerbread Bars are such a winner: they’re fast, festive, and packed with cozy holiday flavor without the fuss of traditional gingerbread cookies. Whether you’re making treats for a school event, a holiday party, or simply craving something warm and comforting after a long day, these bars deliver every time.

So go ahead—make a batch, share a few, keep a few (we don’t judge), and let the aroma of gingerbread fill your home with that special kind of seasonal magic.

Ready to bake? These Chewy Gingerbread Bars are waiting for you.

Craving More Delicious Holiday Inspiration?

If these Chewy Gingerbread Bars made your kitchen smell like pure holiday magic, you’re going to love these other cozy favorites! I picked them with care so you can keep the festive energy going—whether you’re baking for a party, treating the family, or just sneaking a little “me time” with something sweet and comforting.

Keep the dessert table cheerful with the bright, buttery Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies—they melt in your mouth and look stunning on any holiday platter.
Want something playful and fun? These soft, festive Grinch Cookies always steal the spotlight (kids go wild for them!).
After a long day of holiday prep, warm up with a bowl of Crockpot Lasagna Soup—comforting, cozy, and perfect for winter nights.
And if you’re building a full festive dessert spread, don’t miss the colorful and crowd-pleasing Christmas Cookie Bars—they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

Enjoy exploring—your holiday kitchen just got a whole lot happier!