Description
These colorful and fun Unicorn Bars are made with a funfetti cake mix base and topped with a creamy, swirled cream cheese frosting in vibrant purple and blue hues. Perfect for celebrations or anytime you want a whimsically delightful treat, these bars combine easy-to-make cake layers with a luscious, customizable frosting. The sprinkles garnish adds an extra touch of festive sparkle.
Ingredients
Scale
Bars:
- 15.25 ounces funfetti cake mix
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), melted
- ½ cup heavy cream
Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- Sprinkles (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the funfetti cake mix, egg, melted butter, and heavy cream. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a smooth batter.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool Bars: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure the frosting adheres well and doesn’t melt.
- Prepare Frosting Base: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, mixing on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream and Vanilla: Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract slowly, one tablespoon at a time, while beating on high speed until the frosting reaches a light and spreadable consistency.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two separate bowls. Fold purple food coloring into one bowl and blue food coloring into the other until you reach your desired shades.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the colored frostings alternately over the cooled bars. Use a spoon or flat spatula to swirl the colors together for a beautiful marbled effect.
- Add Sprinkles and Serve: Optionally, garnish with sprinkles. Cut into bars and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Storage: Keep the Unicorn Bars refrigerated due to the dairy frosting. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Freezing: Wrap bars tightly and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.
- Variations: Use any cake mix flavor like chocolate, lemon, strawberry, or yellow. Experiment with different extracts and substitute liquids like orange juice or flavored milk in the frosting.
- Frosting Alternatives: You can replace the cream cheese frosting with chocolate frosting, buttermilk frosting, or whipped topping for a different taste and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1/16 of recipe)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
