Gingerbread Cookie Bars

As I am expecting my second baby any moment now, my husband and I decided that we are going to do our best to "simplify" this year. Our schedules are going to revolve around spending time with family. I really want to keep the focus on our family and spirit of the season. One thing that won't be any different is baking in the kitchen! Ha I know, I can't stop. Some of my best holiday memories revolve around being with my mom and grandmother in the kitchen and I want the same thing for my son and future daughter! 

These gingerbread cookie bars definitely simplify the cookie-making process. I also attend a cookie exchange every year with my girlfriends and we usually bring 3-6 dozen cookies. Whoa that is a lot of dough and cookie cutting right? So instead of having to cut out tons for gingerbread men, you get all the delicious gingerbread flavor in an easy-to-make bar. They are chewy and soft and packed full of holiday flavor. 

So, if you are looking to simplify your holiday season...start here.

Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups flour ( I use 1 3/4 cups of white whole wheat flour)
1 tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a 9 x 13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside
3. In a large bowl, combing butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses and beat until creamy.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well combined. 
5. Press dough into pan ( I just use my fingers to press the dough to the edges of the pan)
6. Bake four 15-20 minutes and let cool. (don't overcook - I cook mine for exactly 15 min and they turned out perfect).
7. When finished, you can frost them with Cream Cheese Frosting or even cover with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Or, don't top it with anything. They are delicious no matter what you do!

Yields: 18-24 squares

The Best Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

8 ounce cream cheese
1/4 butter (softened)
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Cream butter, cream cheese, vanilla together, then add powdered sugar. Add more or less powdered sugar, depending on how thick you want the frosting to be.