Chaos Cake Gingerbread Bars (Print Version)

Spiced gingerbread bars packed with creative mix-ins for a chewy, crowd-pleasing treat.

# Components:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
10 - 1/2 cup molasses
11 - 1/4 cup milk
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Chaos Mix-ins

14 - Assorted festive ingredients such as mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, crushed pretzels, chopped candied ginger, toffee bits, crushed gingersnaps, or dried cranberries (approx. 2-3 cups total, divided)

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, molasses, milk, large egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well-emulsified.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
05 - Carefully fold in most of your chosen mix-ins into the batter, reserving a small handful to sprinkle on top later.
06 - Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle the reserved mix-ins over the top and gently press them into the batter.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. A few moist crumbs are acceptable.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting them into 16 individual portions.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for using up leftover holiday candies and treats
  • Budget friendly with flexible ingredients
  • Ready in under an hour with simple pantry staples
  • Customizable to your taste preferences
  • Freezes beautifully for make ahead holiday treats
02 -
  • Each bar contains approximately 210 calories perfect for a satisfying treat
  • The recipe makes excellent use of holiday leftovers like broken cookies or candy canes
  • Can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months
03 -
  • For extra flavor toast your spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding to the batter. The heat activates the essential oils and intensifies their flavor.
  • When measuring molasses spray your measuring cup with cooking spray first so it slides out easily.
  • For perfectly clean cuts refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes before slicing with a warm knife wiped clean between cuts.

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