1/2cup(1 stick or 8 Tbsp) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2cupbrown sugar
1large egg
1 1/2tspvanilla extract
1/4cupmolasses
1 3/4cupall-purpose flour
1/2tspbaking soda
1/4tspsalt
2tspground ginger
1tspground cinnamon
1/4tspground cloves
1/4tspground nutmeg
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8ouncescream cheese, cold (I typically use Neufchatel cream cheese)
1/2cup1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1cuppowdered sugar
1tspvanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
FOR THE COOKIE: Cream butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla, and molasses until completely combined.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to wet ingredients until combined.
Press evenly into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 18-22 minutes or until the edges and top are starting to brown. Do not over-bake. Cool completely.
FOR THE FROSTING: Place the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the butter 2 Tablespoons at a time, and continue beating until smooth and well-blended. Add powdered sugar and vanilla all at once. Blend until combined and smooth.
Cut the very edges off of the bars. (Optional. Snack or discard.) Spread frosting over the top of the cooled bars. Cut into desired size. (3x4=12 bars OR 3x5=15 bars OR 4x6=24 bars) Keep leftovers covered. You can either refrigerate OR store bars at room temperature, depending on personal preference.