Gingerbread bars.....pinned it and tried it

I pinned it, tried it, and LOVED it!!!!

My house smelled like fall when the bars were baking....the smell of cinnamon makes such a warm cozy feeling.

 PLUS it makes me hungry.....so I took them out of the oven and had to try one as soon as they were cool enough to handle, no frosting, and they were wonderful!

They were SO soft and had a slightly chewy center..... reminded me of a soft ginger cookie, but a lot easier to make. The best part is they stayed soft and delicious for a few days,too. This is a fun addition to my bar recipes, and one I will use often.

I liked them with the cream cheese frosting, too, but I think with out was my favorite. I only frosted half the pan, and left the other half without. Definitely glad I pinned this one!

Gingerbread bars
laurenslatest

1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. molasses
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda

Frosting:
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Line a small size jelly roll pan with foil, or an 8" square pan, sprayed with non stick spray. Cream the butter and sugar, add egg, molasses, and vanilla. Stir well. Sift the dry ingredients in a bowl, and add the wet. Stir and pat in the pan. Bake at 325 for 20 to 22 minutes, a few more minutes more if using an 8" pan. Remove when edges are just starting to turn brown, Cool and frost.