These colorful unicorn bars are the most magical party dessert for any kids’ birthday! I use funfetti cake mix to make the cookie bar base, then top it with purple and blue swirled cream cheese frosting for the most whimsical finish. This dessert is easy to make, easy to share, and sure to make everyone smile!
Magical Funfetti Cake Mix Bars
If unicorns were a cake flavor, they would 100% be funfetti. And just like the mythical creature, these funfetti cake mix bars are pure magic. They have all the flavor of the classic sprinkle-filled cake, but with a dense, chewy base similar to my sugar cookie bars. I think purple and blue are the perfect unicorn-inspired colors for this dessert, but you can change that up. Pink would be fun too! As you might have guessed from all the rainbow colors and sprinkles, my kids absolutely love this frosted unicorn bars recipe, and I bet yours will too!
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Unicorn Bars Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Pan
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 15.25 ounces funfetti cake mix 1 box*
- 1 large eggs
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick; melted
- ½ cup heavy cream **
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese 1 block; room temperature
- ½ cup salted butter 1 stick; room temperature
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream use 1-3 tbsp, as needed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ***
- Gel Food Coloring blue and purple****
- Sprinkles optional garnish
Instructions
Bake the Cake Bars:
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Lightly grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cake mix, egg, butter and heavy cream until combined.15.25 ounces funfetti cake mix, 1 large eggs, ½ cup salted butter, ½ cup heavy cream
- Spread into the prepared baking pan in an even layer and bake for 20-25 minutes; or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
- In a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup salted butter
- Slowly beat in the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until light and fluffy.3½ cups powdered sugar
- Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream, continuing to beat on high, until you get a light, fluffy frosting of spreadable consistency.3 tablespoons heavy cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Separate into two bowls and fold in the food coloring until you get your desired colors.Gel Food Coloring
Assemble:
- Spread the different frosting colors alternately over the cooled bars, and swirl with a spoon or flat spatula.
- Top with sprinkles, cut, and serve.Sprinkles
Notes
- You can make the base of the bars with any cake mix. Try chocolate, lemon, strawberry or yellow cake!
- The butter for the cake bars should be fully melted and liquid. The butter for the frosting just needs to be softened/room temperature.
- Let the bars fully cool after coming out of the oven. I give them at least 1 hour before frosting, so that it doesn’t melt.
- Instead of making your own frosting, a tub of pre-made frosting will do. I recently saw a tub of hot pink funfetti frosting that would work great for these!
How to Make Unicorn Bars with Funfetti Cake Mix Step by Step
Prep: Gather the list of ingredients for this unicorn-inspired funfetti bars recipe. Melt 1 stick of butter to use for the cake batter — it should be fully liquid. Let the other stick of butter come to room temperature, along with the cream cheese. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then either lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper.
Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, mix together 15.25 ounces (1 box) of funfetti cake mix, 1 large egg, ½ cup (1 stick) of melted butter, and ½ cup of heavy cream until everything is combined.
Bake the Bars: Next, spread the funfetti batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Pop it in the oven and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the bars cool completely before frosting them.
Make the Frosting: Now in a large bowl using a hand or stand mixer, beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese with ½ cup of softened butter — until it’s smooth and creamy. Then slowly beat in 3 ½ cups of powdered sugar, (½ cup at a time), and continue to mix until it’s light and fluffy. Mix in 1-3 tablespoons of heavy cream (1 tablespoon at a time), along with 1 teaspoon of vanilla; until the frosting reaches a light, fluffy, and spreadable consistency.
Color and Frost: Now for the fun part! Separate the frosting into two bowls. Gently fold the purple and blue food coloring into each bowl, one drop at a time, until you get the perfect shades. Dollop the colored frosting alternately over your cooled funfetti cake bars, then use a spoon or a spatula to create a beautiful swirl effect.
Serve: Finish the unicorn bars with sprinkles for an extra bit of whimsy, then slice and serve.
How to Store
Store frosted unicorn cookie bars in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can serve them chilled or let them come to room temperature.
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