Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Bars w/ Cream cheese frosting

 We loved this! We ate it pretty fast. And now I'm craving it again...

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
for the frosting-
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Line 12.25” x 8.75” x 1” jelly roll pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Stir in egg, vanilla and molasses. Whip 1-2 minutes or until it turns a light brown color. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix until dry ingredients are just combined. Press into prepared pan and bake 20-22 minutes or until edges are barely starting to brown. Cool completely.
For the frosting- whip all ingredients together until smooth. Spread overtop bars and cut into squares. Serve immediately or store in air tight container.
*if you don't have a small jellyroll pan, you can use a glass 8x8 dish, just add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.*