Description
These delightful Unicorn Bars combine a colorful Funfetti cake base with a creamy, vibrant cream cheese frosting swirled in pastel purple and blue hues. Perfect for celebrations or a whimsical treat, these bars offer a soft, sweet cake texture topped with a luscious frosting and optional sprinkles for a magical finish.
Ingredients
Cake Base
- 15.25 ounces box funfetti cake mix
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), melted
- ½ cup heavy cream
Frosting
- 8 ounces package cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup salted butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 3½ cups powdered sugar
- 1-3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple and blue food coloring
- Sprinkles (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease or line a 9x13 inch baking pan 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 until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
- Bake Cake Base: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cake bars to cool completely before adding frosting, ensuring the frosting does not melt.
- Prepare Frosting Base: Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese and room temperature 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, until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
- Adjust Consistency: Add heavy cream and vanilla extract one tablespoon at a time, beating on high speed to reach a light, fluffy frosting with a spreadable consistency.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two separate bowls and gently fold in purple food coloring in one and blue food coloring in the other until your desired shades are achieved.
- Frost the Bars: Alternately spread the two colored frostings over the cooled cake bars and use a spoon or flat spatula to swirl the colors together for a whimsical unicorn effect.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally sprinkle with colorful sprinkles on top for extra fun. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Make sure the cake base is completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- If frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy cream, one teaspoon at a time, to soften it.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without altering frosting consistency.
- Store bars refrigerated if not serving immediately; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- These bars are great for birthdays and festive occasions due to their fun, colorful appearance.
