Decadent Gingerbread Delight Bars
Indulge in the warm and spicy flavors of the season with our Decadent Gingerbread Delight Bars. These buttery bars are infused with aromatic spices and a hint of sweetness, baked to perfection, and topped with a luscious cream cheese icing. Perfectly moist and rich, these bars are not just for the holidays but are irresistible any time of the year. Treat yourself and your loved ones to this delightful dessert that embodies the joy of baking and sharing.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
1 1/4 cups (sifted)
ground ginger
1 tablespoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
baking soda
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
butter
3/4 cup (softened)
sugar
1 1/4 cups divided (none)
egg
1 (large)
molasses
1/3 cup (none)
water
3 tablespoons (none)
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (none)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 13x9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving some overhang to easily lift the bars later. Lightly spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
3
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 3/4 cup of sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the egg and beat until fully incorporated.
4
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Then stir in the molasses and water until well blended.
5
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
6
In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract until well combined. Reserve 1/2 cup of this icing in the refrigerator.
7
Dollop the reserved icing evenly over the batter in the pan. Using a knife or spatula, gently swirl the icing through the batter to create a marbled effect.
8
Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the foil to lift the bars out of the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
9
Once cooled, invert the bars and carefully peel off the foil. Spread the refrigerated icing over the top of the bars. Cut them into 27 equal pieces.
10
Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator for freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Gingerbread Delight Bars?
Decadent Gingerbread Delight Bars are buttery dessert bars infused with aromatic spices like ginger and cinnamon, topped with a luscious cream cheese icing.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
What size pan is required for this recipe?
A 13x9-inch baking pan is used for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang for easy lifting, and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
Which dry ingredients should be whisked together?
Whisk together the sifted flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
How long do I cream the butter and sugar?
Cream the softened butter and 3/4 cup of sugar for approximately 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
At what speed should the electric mixer be used?
Use the electric mixer on medium speed for creaming the butter and sugar.
When is the egg added to the batter?
The egg is added after the butter and sugar have been creamed together.
How should the flour mixture be incorporated?
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
What liquids are stirred into the batter?
Stir in the molasses and water until the batter is well blended.
How is the cream cheese icing prepared?
Beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then gradually mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and vanilla extract.
How much icing should be reserved?
You should reserve 1/2 cup of the cream cheese icing in the refrigerator for the final topping.
How is the marbled effect achieved?
Dollop the icing over the batter and use a knife or spatula to gently swirl it through before baking.
What is the total baking time?
The bars should be baked for 30 minutes.
How can I tell if the bars are finished baking?
The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the bars cool in the pan?
Let the bars cool in the pan for 15 minutes before lifting them out.
How do I remove the bars from the pan?
Use the aluminum foil overhang to lift the bars out of the baking pan.
Where should the bars be placed to cool completely?
Place the bars on a wire rack to cool completely after removing them from the pan.
When do I remove the aluminum foil?
Invert the bars and carefully peel off the foil once they have cooled completely.
When do I apply the refrigerated icing?
Spread the reserved, refrigerated icing over the top of the bars after they are cooled and the foil is removed.
How many bars does this recipe make?
The recipe yields 27 equal pieces.
Where should I store leftovers?
Store any leftover bars in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
What spices are used in these bars?
The recipe uses ground ginger and ground cinnamon for its spice profile.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of sifted flour.
What kind of vanilla extract is used?
The recipe specifies using pure vanilla extract.
How much sugar is used in total?
A total of 1 1/4 cups of sugar is used, divided between the batter and the icing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Is this recipe only for the holidays?
While perfect for the holidays, these bars are described as irresistible any time of the year.
What is the texture of the bars?
The bars are described as perfectly moist and rich.
What role does molasses play in the recipe?
Molasses provides the signature deep flavor and color characteristic of gingerbread.