Brown Butter Espresso Gingerbread Cookie Bars
These Gingerbread Cookie Bars bring together nutty brown butter, warm spices, and rich espresso for a cozy treat. Unlike classic gingerbread the texture of these bars is super chewy and almost brownie-like, enjoy by themself or drizzle with a cinnamon glaze.
Equipment
- 9x13" Baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Ground ginger
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 cup Light brown sugar packed
- 1 cup Granulated white sugar
- 2 whole Eggs room temperature
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Molasses
- 1 tbsp Instant Espresso Powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line a 9x13" baking pan, set aside. In a small mixing bowl combine the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt, stir to combine and set aside.2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour, 1 tsp Baking powder, ½ tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Cardamom , 1/4 tsp Nutmeg, 1/4 tsp Ground ginger, 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- Add butter to a saucepan, heat over medium-high heat stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until the butter starts to brown. Scrape any brown bits off the bottom. Remove butter from the heat before it burns, you want it to have a dark amber color and nutty smell. Allow to cool slightly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.1 cup Unsalted butter
- To the butter, add in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla, molasses, and espresso powder. Whisk to combine. Add in the dry ingredients and mix until combined.1 cup Light brown sugar, 1 cup Granulated white sugar , 2 whole Eggs, 1 tbsp Vanilla extract, 1/2 cup Molasses , 1 tbsp Instant Espresso Powder
- Transfer to the prepared baking pan and spread out evenly, this can be done with an offset or rubber spatula or your hands.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Brown the butter fully: Let it turn golden for the deepest flavor.
- Use high quality spices: Fresh cinnamon, ginger, and cloves make the gingerbread flavor come through the best.
- Do not overmix: Stir until the flour disappears to keep the bars soft.
- Watch the bake time: Pull them when the center looks set. They continue to set up as they cool.
- Customize the mix-ins: Add white chocolate, chopped dark chocolate, or even chopped nuts if you want a little texture or sweetness.
Nutrition
Serving: 1barCalories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 316IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg