It's cold outside and I am dreaming about summer and sunshine. What is it about lemon bars that make you feel all warm and happy inside? Apparently I am not the only one who bakes up lemon bars during the dreary month of January.
I have seen quite a few versions floating around blog land this week. And here I thought I was being all sneaky like last Sunday when I threw these lemon cake bars in my oven. I think all food bloggers think alike...for the most part that is.
So supposedly there is a flu epidemic going around the country. My kids have been fairly healthy...just a few colds here and there. I hope everyone in your households have been staying healthy too.
The other day my husband and I went to visit a lady from our church in the hospital. We stopped at the front desk to find out what room she was in. The girl looked us over really good, and then proceeded to tell us the hospital was closed to anyone but close family due to the flu restrictions. Lucky for us, clergy is also allowed in the building. I think that might have stunned her for a minute. But then she kept going and telling us that children were not allowed under ANY circumstance in the building. We just shook our heads and agreed with her.
As we walked away, we both just started to laugh. Did she know something we did't because the last time I checked no one else was with us. Nope, no kids at all. I stopped and look around because I was SURE some child had wandered into the building and must be standing near us. I mean why else would she lecture us about children coming in? As we waited for the elevator I did my scan of the room again...nope, still no children anywhere near us. I'm thinking she thought we were suspicious looking and had a child hidden under our coat or in my giant purse.
Either that, or my make up was doing an extremely good job that day, and I looked like I was under the age of 18. My husband just kind of snorted when I said that. Fine...just burst this 36 year old's dreams of still looking young.
As we rode up the elevator, my husband asked me what I thought would happen if you really would try to sneak a child into a hospital room. I'm pretty sure there would be alarms, bells, and whistles screaming through the hallways. Then the metal gates would probably drop from the ceiling cutting off all hopes of escape. Bottom line..don't even mention the word "kid" in the building. That could get you under surveillance pretty quickly!
In all seriousness, I do understand the need to be very careful when the flu is going around. We just got a good laugh at the lady at the front desk and how insistent she was about no children when we didn't have any with us.
Maybe if this lady had some super sweet lemon cake bars with sprinkles for her lunch break, she would have been in a happier mood.
These magic bars start with a lemon cake mix dough that is pressed into a pan. Then in true magic bar fashion there are five layers of ingredients baked into the cake mix crust. I think my favorite layer is the sprinkle coating. Sprinkles just make me so happy, and I try to use them any chance I get. If you are looking for a quick and easy dessert to satisfy that sweet tooth, this bar is for you. Using a lemon cake mix keeps it from being a tart and citrus bar. It has a very subtle lemon flavor that pairs very well with the white chocolate and coconut layers.
And as with all magic bars, these are very sweet. I seriously could eat the sweetest and richest dessert without batting an eyelash. My sweet tooth has had years of experience. My husband on the other hand declared these bars too sweet for his liking. Just thought you might like to know they rate high on the sweet chart. They also rate very high in the cheery happy dessert chart.
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Recipe
Lemon Magic Cake Bars
Lemon cake mix topped with layers of sweet goodness to create a magic bar
Ingredients
- 1 lemon cake mix
- 8 Tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.
- Combine the cake mix, butter, egg, and lemon juice until it forms a soft dough. Press into the bottom of prepared pan.
- Layer the white chocolate chips, marshmallows, and coconut on the dough.
- Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top, covering everything as much as possible. Top with sprinkles.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before cutting.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 260Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 239mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 1gSugar: 29gProtein: 3g
Here are some more easy recipes using cake mixes...
click on the picture to go to the recipe.
PEPPERMINT PATTY GOOEY CAKE BARS
LEMON CHEESECAKE CAKE
NUTELLA MARSHMALLOW BARS
Katy
I made these tonight and the marshmellows are completely burnt through the sprinkles. Any ways to keep that from happening??
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh no! I am so sorry to hear that! I made sure the marshmallows were completely covered by the sweetened condensed milk before putting it in the oven. That keeps them from burning.
Erin R.
Oh, these are good! I've had magic bars a few times and enjoyed them, but for some reason they've never really been on my radar. It never would have occurred to me to make a lemon version. I made these last night and they are...wow. The edge pieces on mine had more of the cake bake up to the top with a kind of thin caramel crust, while the middle pieces had a thicker layer of the gooey sweetened condensed milk. They're way sweet (Captain Obvious) so I cut them really small and was able to try an edge and a middle. Can't decide which I like best! Everyone will go nuts for them at the birthday party this afternoon. Thanks a lot!
Jocelyn Brubaker
They are definitely sweet, but so good! I love hearing that you made them and loved them...my vote is for the ooey gooey center piece 🙂
Kerstyn
Would the lemon bars still be good if I freeze them for a week?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I think they would be fine frozen and thawed out. I can't say for sure since I haven't tried it. Let me know how it works for you:-)
Cara
Can someone tell me when you add the sprinkles? Before or after you bake? After the SC milk?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm sorry about that. Yes, the sprinkles go on top of the sweetened condensed milk before you bake it. I will fix the recipe. Thank you for letting me know.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
These look amazing.
Mackenzie
These are seriously needed in the Winter to battle all this gloomy weather! Great idea! I am way behind on my 'magic bars' but his might be a great place to start! 🙂
Mackenzie 🙂
cheeriosandlattes.com
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am willing to try almost anything to brighten up this cold, dreary winter. Sprinkles seem to help though!!! Definitely start with the magic bars again...they are amazing!
Tanya Schroeder
I love lemon and I am crazy about the fact that you made magic bars with lemon! Yum! It just makes me happy, especially when it's like 9 degrees here today! So how big was your purse anyway???? Could you have fit a small child???? Funny mental image. Thanks for sharing at One Creative Weekend!
Jocelyn Brubaker
haha! My purses are big, but not big enough to hide a child in 🙂 That is a funny picture!
Sarah
A cup of coffee would go great with these. I'm currently hosting a giveaway to win a $20 Starbucks gift card and would love for you to enter! http://sarahsaturdiy.blogspot.com/2013/01/love-is-in-air-giveaway.html
Ruth @ AtNumber 29
Thank you! These have cheered my gloomy trudge through themelty slushy snow to do school run morning!!! I don't really do cake mix things. (cake box mixes aren't common here) but I really want to try my own take on these! Will let you know if it works!
Laurie @ Simply Creating Home
These would bring cheer to any gray winter day! So fun with the sprinkles added!
Erin Branscom
WHAT the WHAT? Those sprinkles make it look almost too pretty to eat! Yum!!! Erin
Jocelyn Brubaker
Almost too pretty to eat...but I didn't have any problem cutting into the pan of these yummy bars!!!
Jen B
I feel warmer already! It is so cold here this week. Nothing says summer to me like lemon anything! Thank you for sharing.
I'm stopping by from Melt in your Mouth Monday.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I agree...warm sunny lemon treats make it feel more summer like. Well, until I step outside and realize it's only 14* here today! Bring on the summer!!!!
jasmina
All those colors remind me of my days spent in love with Rainbow Brite! I love them they are so colorful, happy and they look delicious too!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, these do have Rainbow Brite all over them...such a blast from the past to think about that!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
stephanie
oh my, they are adorable and sound delicious! I love lemon it's so fresh and light.
Steph
swtboutique.com
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
I love baking with citrus year round, in fact I just bought a lots of blood oranges yesterday with a cake in mind. Now, i'm thinking, maybe blood orange bars? why not??