Delightful and soft Healthy Funfetti Cookie Bars that remind you of birthday cake batter! Prepared with healthier options like whole wheat flour, reduced butter, and no refined sugar for an ideal lightened party treat!
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It’s birthday time here! 🥳 My daughter and I celebrate our birthdays just two days apart, so I thought I’d share something enjoyable to mark the occasion. These Healthy Funfetti Cookie Bars are crafted with nutritious ingredients such as whole wheat pastry flour, no refined sugar, and less butter than standard cookie bars or funfetti cake mixes. The highlight? These chewy funfetti cookie bars are quick to prepare using basic pantry items without the need for dough chilling. Just mix, bake, cut, and savor! They are one of my favorite desserts to prepare for my daughter’s birthday since the kids adore them!
Reasons to Adore These
- Soft and chewy – these cookie bars possess that delightful bakery-style texture with tender centers, chewy edges, and a rich vanilla essence in every mouthful!
- Healthier version – these bars are created with wholesome whole wheat flour, reduced butter, and no refined sugar, all while remaining indulgent and yummy.
- Simple to prepare – no stand mixer, dough chilling, or complex steps required. Everything combines swiftly with minimal cleanup.
- Tastes like cake batter – the mixer of vanilla and almond extract imparts that nostalgic funfetti cake taste everyone enjoys!
Ingredients Required
- flour – I opted for whole wheat pastry flour to keep these cookie bars soft and fluffy while adding extra fiber and nutrients compared to conventional all-purpose flour. It has a lighter texture than standard whole wheat flour, perfect for these bars!
- baking powder – aids these bars in rising slightly and maintaining a soft texture rather than a dense one.
- cane sugar – naturally sweetens these bars while offering chewy edges and that authentic cookie taste. You can also substitute with coconut sugar, brown sugar, or regular white sugar.
- eggs – this recipe requires one whole egg and one egg yolk, resulting in a rich, chewy texture that renders these cookie bars unbelievably soft and moist.
- butter – melted unsalted butter infuses these cookie bars with their rich flavor and chewy consistency. Allow it to cool slightly before mixing to avoid scrambling the eggs. Coconut oil can also be used as a substitute.
- milk – I utilized almond milk in these bars, but any milk type will suffice. This adds moisture and aids in achieving the perfect thick batter consistency.
- extracts – I used a mix of vanilla and almond extracts to impart warmth and deliver that signature funfetti cake batter flavor!
- salt – necessary for enhancing the flavor in these bars and balancing sweetness.
- white chocolate chips – I included Lily’s white chocolate chips to add creamy sweetness. They are gluten-free, vegan, and sweetened with stevia, keeping the sugar content low while retaining that delightful chocolate taste.
- sprinkles – the key ingredient! Opt for rainbow jimmies-style sprinkles for the best outcome since they maintain their color during baking.
Steps to Create Funfetti Cookie Bars
- Prepare your pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring a bit of overhang on the edges for easy extraction.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, cane sugar, and salt until well mixed.
- Combine the wet ingredients. In another bowl, lightly beat the egg and egg yolk. Incorporate the melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, whisking until smooth.
- Prepare the batter. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick, which is what you want. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles, ensuring not to overmix.
- Spread in the pan. Transfer the batter into the lined baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Since the batter is thick, gently press it into the corners. Sprinkle extra sprinkles on top if desired.
- Bake the bars. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares with a sharp knife. This ensures they set well and allows for clean cuts.
When measuring flour, I prefer using the spoon-and-level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. Use a spoon to lightly fluff and scoop the flour into the cup, then level it off with a knife. This helps prevent the flour from being packed down, which could cause the bars to be dense, dry, or crumbly.
Tips for the Best Funfetti Cookie Bars
- Avoid overmixing – overmixing can create dense bars instead of the desired soft and chewy ones. Mix only until the flour is incorporated.
- Utilize room temperature eggs – room temperature eggs blend more evenly into the batter, resulting in a smoother texture.
- Let the butter cool slightly – hot butter can cook the eggs when combined, so let it cool for a few minutes.
- Line your pan with parchment paper – using parchment paper makes it much easier to remove and slice the bars.
- Avoid overbaking – the bars might appear slightly undercooked in the center when you pull them from the oven, but they will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can cause them to become dry rather than soft and chewy.
- Sprinkle extra sprinkles on top – to make these bars visually appealing and enhance the colorful aspects, add some additional sprinkles on top before baking.
- Cut into fun shapes – instead of slicing into bars, you could use cookie cutters to create fun shapes!
Variations and Alternatives
- Make them extra festive – switch out the rainbow sprinkles for holiday-themed options for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, or other celebrations.
- Boost protein – substitute 1/4 cup of flour with your preferred protein powder for a protein boost in these cookie bars.
- Experiment with chocolate chips – try using milk or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips for a different flavor sensation.
- Omit the almond extract – if you prefer not to use almond extract or have sensitivities, simply use additional vanilla extract.
- Change the flour – if whole wheat pastry flour isn’t available, all-purpose flour works well, or even gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour.
- Add frosting – top the cooled bars with vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting for an even richer dessert.
- Make them gluten-free – swap the whole wheat pastry flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour.
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Storage and Preparation
- To Store – place the cooled cookie bars in a sealed, airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. They remain soft and chewy when covered tightly.
- To Freeze – you can freeze pre-sliced cookie bars in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Insert parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. Allow the bars to thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours prior to serving.
More Bars You’ll Adore
I hope you all love these Healthy Funfetti Cookie Bars! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny!
- Prepare your pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, cane sugar, and salt until well blended.
Mix the wet ingredients. In a different bowl, lightly beat the egg and egg yolk. Add the melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, whisking until smooth.
Prepare the batter. Incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick, which is desired. Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and sprinkles, ensuring not to overmix.
Spread into the pan. Transfer the batter into the lined baking pan and spread evenly using a spatula. Since the batter is thick, gently press it into the corners of the pan. Top with additional sprinkles, if desired.
Bake the bars. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely before cutting into squares. This allows them to set properly and provides clean cuts.
Serving: 1 bar | Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 21.7g | Protein: 1.9g | Fat: 5.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.8g | Cholesterol: 32.4mg | Sodium: 29.3mg | Fiber: 2.3g | Sugar: 11g
Nutrition details are automatically calculated; thus, should be considered as an approximation.
**Nutritious Funfetti Cookie Bars Recipe: A Yummy and Healthier Treat**
Funfetti cookie bars are a delightful pleasure recognized for their vibrant sprinkles and sweet, buttery flavor. While conventional recipes can be high in sugar and fat, it’s feasible to create a nutritious variant that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Here’s a recipe that employs healthier ingredients while keeping the fun and festive essence of funfetti.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup almond flour
– 1/2 cup oat flour
– 1/4 cup coconut sugar
– 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
– 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
– 1 large egg (or a flax egg for a vegan alternative)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles (preferably naturally colored)
– 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium-sized bowl, combine the almond flour, oat flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix until well combined.
3. **Mix Wet Ingredients:** In another bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, applesauce, egg (or flax egg), and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. **Merge Ingredients:** Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring until a dough forms. The mixture should be thick yet spreadable.
5. **Fold in Sprinkles and Chocolate Chips:** Gently incorporate the rainbow sprinkles and dark chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution in the dough.
6. **Spread in the Baking Pan:** Pour the dough into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it uniformly.
7. **Bake:** Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. **Cool and Serve:** Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice into squares and serve.
**Nutritional Advantages:**
– **Almond Flour:** Full of healthy fats, fiber, and protein, almond flour is a nutritious substitute for refined flour.
– **Oat Flour:** Offers additional fiber and nutrients, promoting digestive health.
– **Coconut Sugar:** A lower-glycemic sweetener providing a caramel-like taste.
– **Unsweetened Applesauce:** Functions as a natural sweetener and fat replacement, reducing the need for added sugars and fats.
– **Coconut Oil:** Contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may provide various health advantages.
By using these wholesome ingredients, you can indulge in funfetti cookie bars that are not just tasty but also rich in nutrients. Whether for a special event or a personal treat, these cookie bars are certain to bring joy.
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