Let’s pretend this is a calorie-free treat and we will live happily ever after. Fairy Princess Bars are a real way to get a deliciously easy (and pretty) sweet treat! A confetti-filled, cheesecake-like filling sits atop a crushed-animal-cracker crust for a colorful bar like no other. Imagine serving Fairy Princess Bars to all your little (and big) goblins. You will be crowned the queen (or king) of the confetti kingdom!
Ingredients
- 1 cup iced animal crackers with sprinkles
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- cold water, to taste
- 4 sheets gelatin or 1 tablespoon unflavored powdered gelatin
- 3 1/4 cups cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup caster sugar or extra-fine granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup multi-colored sprinkles, plus more, to taste, for serving
- whipped cream, to taste, for serving
Directions
Step 1 –Grease an 11×7-inch baking dish, then line the base and sides with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch of overlap on all sides.
Step 2 –In a food processor, add the animal crackers and process until they are finely chopped.
Step 3 –Add the butter to the crackers and process until they are well-combined.
Step 4 –Press the animal cracker-butter mixture into the base of the prepared baking dish.
Step 5 –Place the baking dish in the refrigerator and chill until ready to use it.
Step 6 –In a bowl, add the cold water and the gelatin sheets and let them soak, about 5 minutes. Squeeze the excess liquid from the gelatin sheets. If using the gelatin powder, prepare it according to the package directions.
Step 7 –In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the prepared gelatin sheets and cook until they have just melted, about 30 seconds.
Step 8 –Transfer the saucepan from the heat.
Step 9 –In a bowl, add the cream cheese, the caster sugar, and the vanilla and use an electric hand mixer to beat until it is light and fluffy.
Step 10 –Gradually add the hot gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and beat until it is combined.
Step 11 –Add the heavy cream to the cream cheese mixture and beat until it is well-combined.
Step 12 –Fold 1/3 cup of the sprinkles into the cream cheese mixture.
Step 13 –Spoon the filling over the prepared crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
Step 14 –Transfer the baking dish to room temperature and let it rest, about 10 minutes.
Step 15 –Use a hot knife to cut the bars into squares.
Step 16 –Serve the bars, topped with the whipped cream and the extra sprinkles.
