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
Tash @ The Velvet Moon Baker
These look fab! Absolutely love the sprinkles, sprinkles make everything a million times better 😀
Michelle@yagottahaveahobby
I'm a sucker for anything with sprinkles--these included! yum!
teresa
oh YUM! lemon bars are some of my faves!
Lisa @hoopla palooza
i LOVE lemon. and i LOVE sprinkles. so this is definitely a win win! 🙂
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
Maybe she sees ghosts! Hmmm... Or she was just nuts. I am making lemon bars this weekend too. I think you are right, we all just need a break from the dull gray winter. Yours look way more fun and festive than mine.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I love how cheery and bright these bars are! Yum!
Tonya
Coming over to say HI and {SQUEEEEE!} from Weekend Potluck! These lemon bars are TOO stinkin' sunshiney for words. Love sprinkles, love lemon and LOVE the happy Spring time thoughts this post produced in this weary winter brain of mine.
Hugs! T
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
These sounds awesome. Love all the sprinkles on top!
Kristy @ Sweet Treats & More
Now you've got me craving something sweet and lemony to make me all happy inside!! These look awesome!
Chloe
Yum these look amazing! And I just love your photography!
Annie
Ooh I LOVE lemon bars--but never thought of adding chocolate, sprinkles, etc.. sounds amazing!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Annie. Chocolate and sprinkles definitely makes anything amazing!!!
Karly
I'm not a huge lemon fan, but these are so pretty!
As for the lady, I vote that she thought you were looking extra young. For sure.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Want to know a little secret? I don't really like lemon stuff either....sssshhhh don't tell anyone! I might get beaten for posing as a lemon lover 🙂
Michelle Muckala
I've seen a couple lemon bar recipes being blogged, but yours are the prettiest so far 🙂 I have total cabin fever, it's below zero out now so it's no surprise there! These looks amazing as always! And thanks for the laugh!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awe thanks Michelle. Below zero there huh? That's not even right!!! Stay warm friend!!!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
Your pics are GORGEOUS, Jocelyn! I love lemon anything!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Ashley!! I'm glad you liked them!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I love that you used cake mix! And marshmallows and coconut. Oh yum, these are my new favs!
Jocelyn Brubaker
With all the fun magic bar twists out there, it was fun trying to come up with something different! And cake mix crusts are always a fun easy way to twist something!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
OBSESSED with these bars, Jocelyn!! I love me some lemon desserts and the fact that you added coconut and white chocolate chips makes these the ULTIMATE heavenly bar for me! Plus, love the sprinkle addition, as always!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I knew you would like all the sprinkles on top!!! The white chocolate and coconut was probably my favorite part of the bar!!!
Sue {munchkin munchies}
Your lemon bars do look so cheerful and yummy, especially with the sprinkles on top! Hope you all continue to stay well:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
January needed some color and sprinkles to help us get through!!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Your photos are gorgeous. And I've been thinking about these bars all week, since I first saw that photo. I LOVE your mug! That's pretty funny about the lecture. And um, you don't need to brag that you're only 36. This is the big year for me. And I think I just threw up a little.
Jocelyn Brubaker
hahahaha! Your comment totally made me giggle! You are too much! You don't look your age at all girl! Keep working it!!!
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
Yum! These look SO good Jocelyn! Love them and pinned them! Angie xo
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Angie!!!
keri @ shaken together
I'll take lemon any day of the week ... January or not! These look SO stinkin' good ... pinning right now!
Jocelyn Brubaker
With all the dreary days, we needed a fun and bright dessert!!! Thanks for the pin love!