Can I make these without white chocolate?

While the white chocolate adds a distinctive flavor and texture, you could substitute with milk chocolate for a different taste profile. The bars won't be traditional "unicorn" bars but will still be delicious! You may need to adjust the sugar slightly as white chocolate is sweeter than milk chocolate.

Why did my sprinkles bleed into the batter?

This usually happens when using liquid food coloring-based sprinkles. For best results, use oil-based colored sprinkles or "jimmies" which hold their shape and color during baking. Avoid using nonpareils in the batter as they tend to bleed more.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture might be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious. Just ensure your sprinkles and white chocolate are also gluten-free.

How far in advance can I make the Unicorn Bars?

You can make the blondie base up to 2 days ahead and store well-wrapped at room temperature. For best results, frost and decorate the bars the day before or the day you plan to serve them, as the colors in the design will remain more vibrant.

Unicorn Bars Recipe - Emilyscook

Name: Unicorn Bars Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature; 10 ounces white chocolate, chopped; 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 Tablespoon vanilla; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles; 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature; 4 cups powdered sugar; 3 Tablespoons heavy cream; 3 drops food coloring (red & blue); 1/2 cup assorted rainbow sprinkles for decorating

These magical Unicorn Bars transform ordinary blondies into something extraordinary! With layers of white chocolate blondie, creamy buttercream frosting, and a rainbow of sprinkles, these treats bring pure joy to any occasion. The beautiful pastel-colored frosting creates a whimsical design that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Perfect for birthday parties, bake sales, or whenever you need a colorful pick-me-up!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Show-Stopping Appearance: These bars are absolutely gorgeous with their colorful frosting design and rainbow sprinkles. They’ll be the star of any dessert table!
Delicious Flavor Combination: The rich white chocolate blondie base paired with sweet buttercream creates a perfect balance of flavors that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Versatile Treat: Easily adaptable for any celebration – change up the colors for different holidays or team events.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These bars can be prepared in advance, making them perfect for planning ahead for parties or special occasions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Brownie Layer:

Butter: Creates a rich, moist texture in the blondie base. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for proper incorporation.
White chocolate: Adds a creamy, sweet flavor that makes these bars irresistible. Use good quality white chocolate for the best results.
Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the texture of the blondies.
Eggs: Act as a binding agent and add richness to the batter.
All-purpose flour: The foundation of our blondie layer. No need for fancy flours here!
Vanilla: Enhances all the flavors in the bars. Use pure vanilla extract if possible.
Salt: Just a bit balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
Rainbow sprinkles: These add color and fun to the blondie base. They’ll hold their shape during baking for pops of color.

For the Buttercream Frosting:

Butter: Creates a smooth, creamy frosting base. Again, room temperature is crucial.
Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting structure and sweetness.
Heavy cream: Creates a silky texture that spreads beautifully.
Food coloring: Used to create the magical blue and purple colors. Gel food coloring works best.
Rainbow sprinkles: The finishing touch that makes these bars truly “unicorn-worthy”!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Chocolate Lover’s Version: Swap the white chocolate for milk or dark chocolate in the base for a different flavor profile.
Seasonal Themes: Change the sprinkle colors and frosting tints to match holidays – red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, etc.
Flavor Infusions: Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the batter or frosting for a subtle flavor twist.
Birthday Cake Version: Mix in 1/3 cup of dry cake mix to the batter for a birthday cake flavor profile.

How to Make Unicorn Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Oven

Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 325°F to ensure even baking.

Step 2: Create the Blondie Base

Melt the butter and white chocolate together in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Don’t worry if they appear separated – this is normal!

Step 3: Mix the Batter

Add the granulated sugar to the cooled chocolate mixture and stir until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the flour, salt, and vanilla until just combined. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, being careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. The top should be lightly golden but not browned.

Step 5: Cool Completely

Allow the blondie base to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This is crucial for a smooth frosting application!

Step 6: Prepare the Buttercream

Beat the softened butter for two minutes until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream, until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add vanilla and beat for another two minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 7: Create the Colorful Frosting

Set aside 1/2 cup of white frosting and tint it with blue food coloring to achieve a light turquoise shade. Then, take half of the blue frosting and place it in a separate bowl. Add a drop of red food coloring to create purple frosting. Adjust the colors until you’re happy with the shades.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Spread the remaining white frosting evenly over the cooled blondie base. Place blue and purple frosting in separate piping bags and snip off the tips. Pipe diagonal blue lines in one direction across the bars, then pipe purple lines diagonally in the opposite direction to create a diamond pattern. Immediately sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the smoothest incorporation.
Parchment Paper Trick: Use parchment paper with overhanging edges to easily lift the entire dessert out of the pan for clean cutting.
Cutting Clean Bars: Chill the frosted bars for about 30 minutes before cutting, and wipe your knife clean between cuts for the neatest presentation.
Sprinkle Selection: Use a mixture of sprinkle shapes and sizes for the most visually interesting result. Jimmies, nonpareils, and confetti sprinkles all work well together!

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings:

Serve these colorful bars with a glass of cold milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or alongside a birthday cake at a unicorn-themed party.

Presentation Ideas:

For a magical dessert table, place these bars on a white cake stand surrounded by colorful candies and edible glitter. Add unicorn-themed decorations for an extra special touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store these unicorn bars in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The bars actually taste even better on day two when the flavors have had time to meld!

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars in parchment paper and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 1-2 months. The colorful design will remain intact.

Reheating

For the best texture, allow frozen bars to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about 1-2 hours before serving. No need to heat these bars – they’re meant to be enjoyed cool or at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I make these without white chocolate?

While the white chocolate adds a distinctive flavor and texture, you could substitute with milk chocolate for a different taste profile. The bars won’t be traditional “unicorn” bars but will still be delicious! You may need to adjust the sugar slightly as white chocolate is sweeter than milk chocolate.
Why did my sprinkles bleed into the batter?

This usually happens when using liquid food coloring-based sprinkles. For best results, use oil-based colored sprinkles or “jimmies” which hold their shape and color during baking. Avoid using nonpareils in the batter as they tend to bleed more.
Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious. Just ensure your sprinkles and white chocolate are also gluten-free.
How far in advance can I make the Unicorn Bars?

You can make the blondie base up to 2 days ahead and store well-wrapped at room temperature. For best results, frost and decorate the bars the day before or the day you plan to serve them, as the colors in the design will remain more vibrant.

Final Thoughts

These Unicorn Bars are more than just a dessert – they’re a celebration! With their colorful appearance and delightful taste, they bring smiles to faces of all ages. Don’t be intimidated by the decorating process – embrace the whimsy and have fun with it! The beauty of these bars is that they don’t need to be perfect to be magical. Give them a try for your next gathering and watch them disappear faster than you can say “unicorn magic!”