Prepare the Cookie Bars

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer or a whisk. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
5. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated.
6. Spread the Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
7. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid overbaking.
8. Cool: Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)

1. Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add the Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until smooth and fluffy.
3. Finish with Vanilla and Milk: Add the vanilla extract and milk, mixing until you reach the desired consistency for spreading.

Frost the Cookie Bars (optional)

Once the bars are completely cool, spread a generous layer of the cream cheese frosting on top. If you prefer a simpler version, dust the bars with a little powdered sugar instead.