Ultimate Funfetti Gooey Bars with Golden Oreos: Your New Favorite No-Mixer Blondie Recipe
Prepare yourself for a truly irresistible treat: Funfetti Gooey Bars, a delightful fusion of browned butter blondies, bursting with colorful sprinkles, and generously stuffed with creamy Golden Oreos. Imagine your absolute favorite chewy cookie bar, but taken to an extraordinary new level of gooey perfection, where every single square is a treasure trove of sweet, vanilla-flavored Oreos. This incredibly simple recipe eliminates the need for any fancy equipment – no mixer required! In under 45 minutes, you can have these vibrant, melt-in-your-mouth bars ready to dazzle your taste buds and brighten any occasion. They are the perfect combination of classic comfort and celebratory fun, guaranteed to become a household favorite.
Unveiling the Magic: What Makes These Funfetti Gooey Bars So Special?
These Funfetti Gooey Bars aren’t just another dessert; they’re a celebration in every bite! Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe stand out and why it’s destined to become your go-to for quick, impressive, and utterly delicious treats:
- The Secret Weapon: Brown Butter Perfection – These funfetti blondie bars are elevated by the inclusion of rich, nutty brown butter. Browning butter is a simple technique that transforms regular butter into a golden, aromatic ingredient with deep, complex notes of toasted hazelnuts and caramel. This intense flavor perfectly balances the sweetness of the Golden Oreos and sprinkles, adding an unparalleled depth that makes these bars truly gourmet without any extra fuss. It’s a game-changer for any baked good, and it shines particularly bright here, adding a sophisticated twist to a playful dessert.
- Effortless Baking: No Mixer, No Problem! – Forget about hauling out your heavy stand mixer or even a hand mixer. This recipe is designed for maximum ease and minimal cleanup. All you need are a couple of bowls, a whisk, and a spatula, making it incredibly accessible for bakers of all skill levels. The straightforward process means less time preparing and more time enjoying the delicious results. It’s ideal for a spontaneous baking session or when you’re short on time but still want to create something spectacular.
- Sprinkle Smart: Choose Your Sprinkles Wisely – To achieve that vibrant, celebratory “funfetti” look, the type of sprinkles you use truly matters. We highly recommend using long strand sprinkles (also known as jimmie sprinkles or rod sprinkles). Unlike nonpareils (the tiny, circular ball sprinkles), which tend to bleed their colors into the batter during baking, long strand sprinkles hold their shape and vibrant hues, ensuring your gooey bars emerge from the oven looking as festive as they taste. This small detail makes a big difference in the final visual appeal.
- The Golden Rule: Don’t Overbake for Ultimate Gooeyness – The hallmark of a truly exceptional blondie or cookie bar is its wonderfully gooey, chewy texture. To achieve this, it’s crucial not to overbake these blondies. Overbaking can lead to a dry, cake-like consistency, losing that desirable soft center. We’ll guide you on how to spot the perfect doneness, ensuring every bar is perfectly tender and bursting with moist, chewy goodness. A slightly underbaked center is the secret to their irresistible gooey charm.
These elements combine to create a cookie bar experience that’s both comforting and exciting, simple to make, and impossible to resist. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy!
Crafting Culinary Joy: How to Make These Funfetti Gooey Bars
The beauty of these blondies lies in their simplicity and the incredible flavors they deliver with minimal effort. You’ll be delighted by how hassle-free the process is, especially since there’s no mixer required, and you likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry. Let’s walk through the steps to create these delightful funfetti bars.
Your journey begins with browning the butter, a foundational step that infuses the entire recipe with its distinctive nutty aroma and rich flavor. After the butter achieves that beautiful golden-brown hue and releases its fragrant, toasty notes, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. It’s crucial not to add your eggs to hot butter, as this could inadvertently cook them! Once the browned butter has cooled to a warm, not hot, temperature, whisk in both your granulated and light brown sugars, a generous splash of vanilla extract for warmth, and a pinch of salt to enhance all the other flavors. Give this mixture a good whisk until everything is smoothly incorporated and glossy. Next, you’ll incorporate the eggs, making sure to whisk them in thoroughly until the batter is homogenous and has a lovely, smooth consistency. Finally, gently fold in your pre-measured flour mixture. Remember the golden rule of blondies: do not overmix at this stage! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense, or cakey blondies, rather than the wonderfully gooey, chewy texture we’re aiming for. Mix just until no streaks of flour remain, then it’s time to introduce the star of the show – the sprinkles! Fold in most of your colorful sprinkles, reserving a quarter cup for the topping later.
Now comes the fun part: assembling your funfetti masterpieces. Pour approximately half of your vibrant blondie batter into a greased and parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking tin. Use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to gently smooth the top, creating an even layer. This provides the perfect bed for your Golden Oreos. Carefully arrange the whole Golden Oreos evenly across the batter, as shown in the images above, ensuring each future bar will boast a delicious cookie center. Once the Oreos are in place, pour the remaining blondie batter over them. Again, use your offset spatula to carefully spread the batter, aiming to evenly cover all of the Oreos. Don’t worry if you can’t completely hide every single cookie at this stage; as the blondies bake, the baking powder will cause them to rise, beautifully encasing the Oreos and creating that delightful “sandwich” effect in the middle. Finish by sprinkling the reserved ¼ cup of sprinkles over the top for an extra burst of color and festive appeal. Pop them into the oven, and soon your kitchen will be filled with the most incredible aromas!
FAQ and Pro Baking Tips for Perfect Gooey Bars
Absolutely! The extra egg yolk in this recipe isn’t just an arbitrary addition; it’s a critical component for achieving that coveted chewy, rich, and intensely gooey texture. Egg yolks are packed with fat and lecithin, which contribute significantly to the tenderness and moisture of baked goods. Without it, your bars might lean more towards a cakey consistency rather than the dense, fudgy chewiness that makes these funfetti bars so exceptional. So, for the best results, definitely don’t leave it out!
Browning butter is a simple technique that adds incredible depth of flavor. To do it right, start by placing your unsalted butter in a small, light-colored saucepan over medium-low heat. The light color of the pan allows you to easily monitor the color changes. Once the butter has melted completely, increase the heat slightly to medium. Keep stirring continuously with a heatproof spatula. The butter will first foam up, then as it cooks further, you’ll notice small amber-colored bits forming at the bottom of the pan. Simultaneously, a wonderful, nutty, and toasted aroma will fill your kitchen – akin to roasted nuts or caramel. These brown flecks are the milk solids browning, and they are where all the magic happens! As soon as you achieve this beautiful golden-brown color and distinct aroma, immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent it from burning. Pour the browned butter (including all the delicious flecks) into a heatproof bowl to cool slightly before incorporating it into your recipe. And just like that, you’ve mastered browned butter!
Yes, absolutely! While Golden Oreos add a delightful vanilla creaminess that complements the blondie base perfectly, feel free to experiment with other fillings based on your preference or what you have on hand. You could easily replace them with classic chocolate Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist, or even double-stuffed Oreos if you’re a fan of extra creaminess. For a different flavor profile, consider using other types of sandwich cookies, chocolate chip cookies, or even chopped candy bars like Snickers or Twix for an extra indulgent treat. If you prefer a simpler blondie, you can also leave them out altogether and just enjoy the delicious funfetti base. The possibilities are endless!
More Irresistible Bar & Brownie Recipes to Explore:
If you loved these Funfetti Gooey Bars, you’re in for a treat! Discover more delectable bar and brownie recipes that are perfect for sharing or savoring all by yourself. Each recipe offers a unique flavor profile and a satisfying baking experience:
- Coffee Peanut Butter Crunch Blondies: A delightful combination of rich coffee, creamy peanut butter, and a satisfying crunchy texture.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Blondies: Indulge in the sweet, spiced flavors of cookie butter paired with classic chocolate chips in a soft, chewy blondie.
- Rocky Road Brownies: A decadent, fudgy brownie base loaded with marshmallows, nuts, and chocolate chips for a truly classic dessert.
We absolutely adore seeing your baking creations! Make sure to tag me on Instagram @alpineella and consider leaving a review below if you’ve had the pleasure of baking these funfetti gooey bars. Your feedback and photos truly make our day! For even more delicious baking ideas and inspiration, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, where a world of sweet treats awaits your discovery.
Recipe
Funfetti Gooey Bars with Golden Oreos
Ella Gilbert
Pin Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Equipment
-
9×13 inch tin
Ingredients
- 284 grams all purpose flour
- 100 grams granulated sugar
- 200 grams light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 170 grams unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup sprinkles
- 20 golden Oreos
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F/180°C. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by generously greasing it and then lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, and set aside. In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter begins to foam and turn a beautiful golden-brown color, giving off a distinct nutty aroma with small brown flecks at the bottom. Immediately remove the pan from the heat. Carefully transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt to the warm butter and stir until well combined. Allow this mixture to cool down slightly to room temperature before proceeding. Once cooled, add the two whole eggs and the extra egg yolk, whisking vigorously until the mixture is smooth and evenly incorporated.
-
Gradually add the whisked flour and baking powder mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can lead to tough blondies. A few small streaks of flour are acceptable.
-
Gently fold in ¾ cup of the colorful sprinkles into the batter. Reserve the remaining ¼ cup of sprinkles for topping. Pour half of the prepared batter into your lined baking pan and spread it evenly with an offset spatula. Neatly arrange the 20 Golden Oreos over this layer of batter. Carefully spoon the remaining batter over the Oreos, gently spreading it to cover them as much as possible. Finally, sprinkle the reserved ¼ cup of sprinkles generously over the top.
-
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are beautifully set and lightly golden, but the center still appears slightly soft. When you insert a toothpick into the center, it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached, indicating a perfectly gooey blondie. Avoid overbaking to maintain that signature gooey texture. Once baked, let the blondies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang and cutting them into squares. Store any leftover blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer enjoyment.
Notes
Room temperature: To ensure all ingredients incorporate smoothly and evenly, leading to a perfectly consistent batter and bake, I always make sure all my dairy and eggs are at room temperature before I begin the recipe. It’s a simple step that makes a significant difference. Just pull out all of your ingredients from the fridge about 1.5 to 2 hours before you plan to start baking.
Salt: Salt plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavors in baking. This recipe calls for kosher salt, which has a coarser grain. If you do not have kosher salt on hand and are using fine table salt instead, please halve the amount called for in the recipe. As a general conversion, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt is approximately equivalent to ½ teaspoon of fine table salt.
Butter: For superior flavor and texture in my recipes, I consistently use European-style butter, such as Kerrygold. European butters typically have a higher butterfat content and are churned differently, resulting in a richer, creamier taste and a more tender crumb in your finished baked goods. While standard butter will work, European-style butter truly elevates the experience.
Sprinkles: As mentioned earlier, the choice of sprinkles is key for visual appeal. Ensure you use long strand sprinkles (jimmies) for this recipe. Avoid nonpareils (the tiny round ball sprinkles) as they tend to dissolve and bleed their colors into the batter during baking, resulting in a muted, less vibrant appearance. Long strand sprinkles will hold their shape and color beautifully, making your funfetti bars truly pop!
Storage: These gooey bars are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness. For longer storage, you can freeze the uncut or cut bars for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Nutrition