Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 lb (3¾ cups) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and molasses on medium speed until creamy.
- Add the egg and stir until completely incorporated. Add flour, spices, and salt and mix until well combined. Spread dough into prepared pan, using clean hands or a rubber spatula to press the dough to the edges of the pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes; do not overbake! Cool in a pan with a wire rack.
- When bars have cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting or dust lightly with powdered sugar. They are delicious with nothing on them! Cut into squares and serve.
- For the frosting: Cream together the butter and cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Slowly mix on low and then beat it on high until fluffy.