Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 cups + 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour )
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter,
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, )
• 1 pkg. cream cheese,
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray, then put it aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, then set that bowl aside.
2. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attached, mix the butter, brown sugar and molasses until they come together. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix them in. Turn the mixer to low speed, gradually work in the flour mixture, and mix just until the dough is combined. If you see any streaks hiding at the bottom or sides, finish folding with a spatula until everything looks evenly mixed.
3. Scrape the dough into the prepared baking dish. Use your hands to spread and press it into a level layer. Bake at 350 degrees until the bars are cooked through, about 14 – 17 minutes, taking care not to let them go too far. Move the dish to a wire rack and cool the bars completely.
4. To make the cream cheese frosting, use the stand mixer with the paddle attached to beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then mix until the frosting is fluffy and light. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
5. Cut the bars into squares. Cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap, and refrigerate for storage.