Preheat oven to convection 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a bowl.

Beat room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a whisk or paddle attachment (stand mixer) until mixture turns an off-white color (1-2 minutes).

Mix in egg, vanilla extract, and molasses until combined.

Add All-Purpose flour, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda into the mixture. Fold in dry ingredients.

Flatten out half of your cookie dough into an 8x8 parchment paper-lined tray and then spread cream cheese mixture over top. Crumble the rest of cookie dough over cream cheese layer and lastly sprinkle some extra sugar on top (for extra texture!).

Bake cookie bars for 29-31 minutes.

Then let bars sit for about an hour or chill in fridge for 45 minutes before removing from pan and cutting 4x4.

Eat fresh or store in a chilled environment for up to 8 days!