Magical Cream Cheese Funfetti Bars Recipe

Enchanting Funfetti Cream Cheese Bars Recipe: Sprinkle Joy!

Sweet celebrations call for sprinkle-packed cream cheese funfetti bars that dance with color and delight.

Soft, creamy cream cheese blends perfectly with buttery cake base to create a dreamy dessert.

These irresistible bars burst with rainbow confetti, making every bite a festive experience.

Layers of tangy cream cheese and sweet cake meld together in a harmonious treat that screams pure joy.

Simple ingredients transform into a magical dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Rich, tender, and packed with vibrant sprinkles, these bars promise to be the star of any gathering.

Grab a fork and prepare for a delectable journey of pure sugary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 16

Cream Cheese Funfetti Bar Ingredient List

For Cookie Dough Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough, ensuring a tender and soft texture with perfect structure.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet companions that provide deep caramel notes and help create a rich, golden color.
  • Butter: Brings luxurious richness and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb with incredible flavor.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture for a smooth, cohesive dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Infuses warm, aromatic sweetness that elevates the entire dessert's flavor profile.
  • Sprinkles: Adds playful color and festive fun, creating visual excitement throughout the dough.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the dough rise and achieve a soft, light texture.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.
For Cream Cheese Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, silky smooth filling with luxurious richness.
  • Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the cream cheese mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds delicate warmth and depth to the creamy layer.
For Baking Preparation:
  • Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking, making cleanup a breeze.

Tools for Making Funfetti Bars Flawlessly

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cookie dough ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium bowl: Perfect for preparing cream cheese filling.
  • Electric mixer or hand mixer: Crucial for beating butter, sugars, and cream cheese to creamy consistency.
  • 8×8-inch baking pan: Needed to create the bar base.
  • Parchment paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking.
  • Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients evenly.
  • Spatula: Useful for folding sprinkles and scraping batter.
  • Knife or bench scraper: Helps cut bars into clean, even squares.

Mixing and Baking Funfetti Bars at Home

  • Prep Your Baking Station

Grab an 8×8-inch pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure edges hang over for easy lifting. Set your oven to warm up at 350F.

  • Whip Up Cookie Base

Mix softened butter with white and brown sugars until they become fluffy and light. Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla, stirring until everything blends smoothly. Gently fold in flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle in colorful confetti bits for extra fun.

  • Create Creamy Filling

Grab cream cheese and whisk it with powdered sugar and vanilla until super silky and smooth.

  • Layer with Love

Split cookie dough into two portions. Press the first half into the pan’s bottom, creating a solid foundation. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly across this layer. Crumble remaining dough on top, pressing gently to create a playful, textured surface.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the hot oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges turn golden and center looks set.

  • Cool and Slice

Let bars cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment edges and slice into squares. Enjoy your colorful, creamy treat!

Flavor Twists to Brighten Up Funfetti Bars

  • Perfect Soft Texture Trick: Avoid overmixing the cookie dough to keep bars tender and prevent tough, dense results. Gently fold ingredients until just combined for the most delicate crumb.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dessert up to 2 days ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. The flavors actually develop and become more delicious with a short resting period.
  • Gluten-Free Transformation: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars safe for those with wheat sensitivities. Add an extra tablespoon of flour to maintain proper consistency.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives made from cashews or almond base. Use plant-based butter substitutes to create a completely dairy-free version that still tastes incredible.
  • Festive Flavor Boost: Experiment with different sprinkle colors to match holidays or special occasions. Rainbow sprinkles work great for birthdays, while red and green are perfect for Christmas celebrations.

Ideas for Serving Funfetti Bars at Parties

  • Party Platter Perfection: Arrange bars on a colorful platter with extra sprinkles scattered around for a festive, eye-catching dessert display.
  • Sweet Sidekick Pairing: Serve alongside cold milk, vanilla ice cream, or a light coffee for a delightful complementary treat that enhances the bar's creamy texture.
  • Gifting Delight: Package individual bars in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons for charming homemade gifts that spread joy and sweetness to friends and family.
  • Decorative Drizzle Option: Melt white chocolate or add a light glaze on top to create an extra layer of indulgence and make the bars look even more tempting.

Store and Stack Funfetti Bars Neatly

  • Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep bars in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigeration helps maintain their delightful texture and extends freshness up to 5 days.
  • Cool-Down Strategy: Allow bars to reach room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving, which softens the cream cheese layer and enhances flavor complexity.
  • Freezer-Ready Option: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen bars stay delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for quick sweet treats anytime.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch up to 2 days before serving. Prep work allows flavors to meld and develop richer taste profiles, giving you more flexibility for gatherings or spontaneous dessert cravings.
Print
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Magical Cream Cheese Funfetti Bars Recipe

Magical Cream Cheese Funfetti Bars


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 17 1x

Description

Funfetti cream cheese bars blend nostalgic birthday cake memories with creamy, tangy elegance. Sweet sprinkles and rich cream cheese create a simple, irresistible dessert perfect for celebrations and weekend treats.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cups (160 g / 5.6 oz) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g / 3.9 oz) brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) rainbow sprinkles
  • ⅓ cup (40 g / 1.4 oz) powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, extending over the edges for easy removal. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
  2. Cookie Base: Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla extract until well incorporated. Gradually blend in flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold in sprinkles, creating a vibrant dough.
  3. Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
  4. Assembly: Divide the cookie dough in half. Press one portion evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture uniformly over the base layer. Crumble the remaining dough on top, lightly pressing to create a rustic covering.
  5. Baking: Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden-brown edges and a set center, indicating perfect doneness.
  6. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out using parchment paper edges. Slice into bars of desired size. Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for maximum freshness.

Notes

  • Soften Ingredients Perfectly: Allow butter and cream cheese to reach room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing, ensuring smooth blending and preventing lumpy textures.
  • Control Sprinkle Distribution: Gently fold sprinkles into dough to prevent color bleeding and maintain vibrant, distinct confetti appearance throughout the bars.
  • Prevent Overbaking Disaster: Watch edges closely during baking; golden brown indicates doneness while avoiding dry, crumbly texture – remove when center looks slightly soft but set.
  • Refrigeration Magic: Chill bars for 1-2 hours before cutting to achieve clean, precise slices and enhance flavor melding between cream cheese and cookie layers.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 17
  • Calories: 211
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 104 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 27 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 36 mg
Emily Lawson

Emily Lawson

Content Creator & Culinary Specialist

Expertise

  • Creative Content Writing and Blogging​
  • Plant-Based and Alternative Grilling Recipes​
  • Food Styling and Visual Storytelling​
  • Nutritional Analysis and Healthy Cooking

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and the fusion of global flavors with traditional grilling methods. ​


Emily Lawson is the content creator at Daves Grill, turning tasty ideas into clear, easy recipes. Based in Portland, she trained at the Oregon Culinary Institute and loves cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, especially grilled veggies and global flavors.

Emily mixes food writing with hands-on cooking to bring you recipes that feel fun, not stressful. Her goal is to make every dish simple, flavorful, and worth coming back to. Together, she and Dave serve up real food, one recipe at a time.

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