buttery gingerbread shortbread bars

Gingerbread Shortbread Bars

These simple buttery gingerbread shortbread bars have a lovely gingerbread kick and that irresistible shortbread texture. 

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Gingerbread Shortbread Bars

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5 from 1 review

Buttery gingerbread shortbread bars are so simple to make and have that irresistible shortbread texture.

  • Author: Crosby's Molasses
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1:05 hour
  • Category: Cookies

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. icing sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. Crosby’s Fancy Molasses
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned in)
  • 2/3 cup cornstarch, spooned in
  • 1 1/2 tsp. gingerbread spice blend (recipe below) or 1 tsp. ground ginger & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 F
  2. Cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and mix to incorporate.
  3. Sprinkle over flour, cornstarch and spices and mix until dough just comes together.
  4. Press into a 9”x9” pan and prick with a fork.
  5. Bake 50-55 min.
  6. When almost cooled cut into bars

Notes

Gingerbread Spice Blend

  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp each, nutmeg, cloves

Variations:

Add 1/8 tsp of cardamom and/or mace

Comments

  • December 28, 2025
    reply

    Sadie

    Delicious! Crisp all the way through, slightly sandy and buttery. The flavour and texture improve with age. My spice measures were more generous than those in the recipe and we didn’t find them overwhelming. I baked the shortbread in two 6″ fluted tart pans and liked the look, the thickness and the size of the wedges. They baked for 70 minutes until firm with a bit of give when pressed in the centre. Great recipe!

  • December 16, 2022
    reply

    Pamela

    WOW ! I just came upon the Shortbread Recipe and I’m going to try to make it TODAY! (Just in time for Christmas!)
    I have a Q about the SPICE MIX. I LOVE Cardamom. The variation with 1/8 tsp, is that IN ADDITION to the Spice Mix or INSTEAD of the Spice mix?
    Looks Fabulous! Hope it’s as good as my Scottish Grandma’s:)

  • December 25, 2020
    reply

    Wesley

    Awesomely Awesome recipes. I have loved it thanks!

  • December 22, 2020
    reply

    Vickie Hayne

    Are these shortbread cookies crisp all the way through..like a Scottish shortbread.

  • December 9, 2020
    reply

    Jeanette

    I am looking forward to making this. Sounds delicious!! I am originally from Cape Breton and I grew up with Crosby molasses. ?

    • December 15, 2020
      reply

      Crosby Molasses

      Hi Jeanette, I hope you enjoy the gingerbread shortbread. Glad you still have your East Coast connections :)

  • November 14, 2020
    reply

    Barb

    do you sprinkle icing sugar over them when cooled ? Picture looks like it it recipe doesn’t say so

    • June 11, 2021
      reply

      Marie-Pierre Lessard

      Yes, we sprinkle icing sugar when the shortbread are cooled.

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