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
- Preparation: Line a rectangular baking pan with parchment paper, extending over the edges for easy removal. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
- 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.
- Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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