How fun are these Unicorn Cheesecake Bars!? Perfect for summertime, the latest unicorn craze, birthday parties, or for the unique person in your life!
Okay, so I’m totally (officially) hopping on the unicorn bandwagon with these cheesecake bars. Don’t blame me, blame society.
I totally understand the unicorn craze. It all started (for me) back in the 90’s when I was obsessed with procuring EVERY LAST PIECE OF LISA FRANK PARAPHERNALIA I could get my grubby child hands on. The colors! The magic! The stars! The fairies! The unicorns! I was a girl possessed.
The 90s were kind of the off-set of the unicorn craze, don’t you think? I mean, we had GEL BODY GLITTER, Y’ALL. That is no accident. Gel body glitter was laying the groundwork for a unicorn craze in 20 years. THANK YOU, BONNE BELL.
Plus, who doesn’t love stuff that’s glittery and magical and rainbow? People who hate life don’t like that stuff, so miserable people, this recipe isn’t for you. Also, people who don’t like food coloring probably won’t like these. MORE FOR ME.
But for everyone else, these bars are actually super easy to make and only look intimidating. I guarantee once you make them, you’ll be the star of every party you take them to. I also think when you show up to said parties with Unicorn Cheesecake Bars that you have a boombox on one shoulder and butterfly clips in your hair (yes, even you dudes). Also, I require that the boombox be playing “Genie in a Bottle” because THE 1990s WAS THE BEST DECADE. NO DISCUSSION.
Now, who wants to make some unicorn magic?
This recipe starts with a usual cheesecake recipe: graham cracker crust, creamy vanilla cheesecake. Toss together some graham cracker crumbs, a little suga’, and some butter until moistened. Press it into a foil-lined 9×13″ rectangular pan and bake it for a tad. While you bake it, whip up your cheesecake.
The cheesecake is just cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. The sour cream is mandatory and no, there’s no substitution for greatness. I mean, I guess you could use Greek yogurt if you’re trying to be healthy, but I don’t think unicorns eat healthfully. They eat confetti, which last time I checked probably has the same nutritional value as these bars. Just sayin’.
Once the cheesecake is whipped up, you’ll divide it among 4 bowls. Tint each bowl a different color. I went with pastels because they seem the most unicorn-ish to me, but bright colors would be fab! It’s a glorified horse; I don’t think it cares about your color choices.
Then plop (yes, that is the technical term) the colors at random on top of the crust. I alternated the colors so I didn’t have one giant blob of pink somewhere; I wanted everything to be scattered which gives it more of that rainbow marbled look. Once you’ve covered the crust with cheesecake batter, gently swirl the colors with a butter knife. Don’t swirl too much, though, as it may begin to muddy the colors some (this is especially true if you use brighter colors like orange and blue).
Bake it up and you get thisssssss.
Shine on, you crazy unicorns!
Unicorn Rainbow Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
- FOR THE CRUST:
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 7 Tbsp butter melted
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- FOR THE CHEESECAKE:
- 3 (8 ounce pkgs) cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream full fat only
- Gel food colors: I used purple yellow, pink, and a mint color, but any colors will work
- Whipped cream and sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9x13" rectangular pan with foil, extending the sides of the foil over the edges of the pan. Spray the foil lightly with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, toss together the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until combined and moistened. Pour the crust mixture into the prepared pan and gently pat down in an even layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven but keep the oven on.
- While the crust bakes, prepare your cheesecake filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides if needed. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla, followed by the sour cream. Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds until creamy and smooth.
- Distribute the cheesecake batter evenly among four small bowls. Tint each bowl a different color - I made my colors pastel, but you can do brights! Drop spoonfuls of different colored batters around the pan, covering the bottom crust. I alternated with different colors so you don't have a huge portion in just one color; I wanted it more marbled and rainbow. Once all the batter is in the prepared pan, take a butter knife and gently swirl the colors together. Don't swirl too much, though; it may muddy the colors if you're using especially bright colors like orange and blue.
- Bake for approx. 35-45 minutes or until the top is just about set. It shouldn't be sloshing around in the pan. Cool to room temperature, then pop in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until sufficiently set and chilled.
- Just before serving, top with whipped cream and sprinkles!
Magical, beautiful, mystical cheesecake bars… made easy!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
Katherine says
These are fun! And Lisa Frank…wow that brings back memories. Haha!
cakespy says
I’m pretty sure you know how I feel about these. <3
Casey Naylor says
Lol. I WISH I could still find gel body glitter! # 90s were the BEST!✨???????
Akema S. says
You can get it still, especially in 2023 when all the old retro stuff is back in style. But just do a Google (or any search really) is what I usually do. I use the unicorn snot in a variety of colors for my girls or you could use one 9f the millions of others they have now on the market. This is only if your still looking after all this time as well. Also, Bath and Body Works makes a shimmering body spray and lotion the gives that glittery effect without the hassles of trying to make it look even. Their stuff honestly is the easiest I’ve ever come by to apply. Good luck and hope this helps.