Gingerbread Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

For the cookies::

3 cups

all-purpose flour

1 tsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

baking soda

1/2 tsp

salt

1 1/4 tsp

ground ginger

1 tsp

ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp

ground cloves

1/4 tsp

ground nutmeg

1 1/2 sticks

unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup

packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup

unsulfured molasses

large egg

For the frosting::

8 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1 stick

unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 tsp

vanilla paste (or extract)

2 cups

powdered sugar, sifted