Lusciously silky and moist inside and loaded with tons of citrus flavors, these magic cake bars are going to completely blow you away.—Don’t forget the warm berry sauce on top!
So I’m just gonna leave this magic right here. With you. Away from me and my uncontrollable magic cake cravings. Happy Friday from me to you.
Guys, I’m pretty pumped. For all things citrus-y and lemony, and asparagus-y, and SPRINGY! If I look really hard past the multiple piles of muddy snow and ice, I can see spring. And whenever it does come, me and my citrus magic cake bars shall be ready for anything.
I’ve managed to hold out so far on buying up all the asparagus my grocery store carries, but it won’t be long now. My self-control only goes so far…
And speaking of self-control I’m still trying to find mine where these magic cake bars are concerned. I seem to have completely lost it and I don’t think it’s coming back. So I’m forced to eat all of the magic cake. And this is a problem…how?
I’m only newly obsessed with magic cake, guys. My grandma brought over a lemon magic cake a few weeks ago and I was almost immediately put into a dessert trance. And I immediately began planning my top priorities for that week and you can bet that this cake was at the tippy-top of the list.
So I loaded this baby up with a double-whammy of citrus and then I probably took things a bit over the top with that glorious berry sauce you probably noticed. We know NO Friday limits around here.
If you’ve never made magic cake before, no worries! You’ve so got this, because this recipe is seriously as simple as making any regular cake! And I guarantee it will come out delightfully magical every.single.time.
Seriously. The middle portion of the cake is absolutely dreamy. So GOOEY I almost swooned. No wait, I actually did.
What are we all doing today? I mean, it’s so obvious. We’re making magic cake. And we’re eating all of said magic because a Friday IS magic so it all fits rather nicely.
You won’t fit into your jeans quite so nicely after we’re all finished, but that’s only a minor downer in light of more important things.
I promise it’s just this cake making me a little crazy today. Like I said, magic. ♥
Citrus Magic Cake Bars with Fresh Berry Sauce
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Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- Juice and zest from 1 orange 1/4 cup juice and 1 tablespoon zest
- Juice and zest from 1 lemon 1/4 cup juice and 1 tablespoon zest
- 1/2 cup butter melted and cooled
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- BERRY SAUCE:
- 1 cup fresh blueberries if using frozen, do not thaw
- 1 cup fresh raspberries if using frozen, do not thaw
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Separate eggs and place whites in a medium bowl. Place yolks in a separate large bowl and set aside. With a handheld electric mixer, beat egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Set egg whites aside.
- Meanwhile, whisk egg yolks, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, both zests, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually whisk in flour and then very gently fold in whipped egg whites until batter is just combined. (there may still be a few streaks)
- Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake magic cake at 325F 35-40 minutes or until top is a light golden brown and just slightly firm to the touch. Cool cake completely in pan on a wire cooling rack.
- Make the berry sauce: In a small saucepan combine all sauce ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes until sauce is reduced and slightly thickened. Keep sauce warm.
- Once cake has cooled, use the edges of parchment paper to remove from pan. Carefully cut cake into 12 bars. Serve magic cake bars with warm berry sauce and powdered sugar dusted on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
These bars are so pretty, Sarah! Can you believe that I’ve never actually had magic cake bars before?! Yes, I’ve been living under a rock! I love the berry sauce on here. I think I could eat these for just about every meal…yum!!
Sarah says
Girl, you NEED some magic bars in your life! Like before the weekend is over. 😉
Leah @ Grain Changer says
Sarah this looks absolutely incredible! That berry sauce (insert ALL of the heart emojis here)!!!! There will definitely be no stopping me once I make this. YUM!
Sarah says
Aww thank you so much Leah! I hope you can try this magic cake soon!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Citrus magic cake sounds wonderful! And that fresh berry sauce is icing on the cake, literally! Love this!!!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Jen!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
“magic cake”?? Ok, I am seriously intrigued!! This sounds amazing Sarah!! Especially with the incredible berry sauce drizzled all over the top!!
Sarah says
It’s seriously magic in a cake! 😀 Thank you Renee.
marcie says
Holy moly, does this look good! I love that berry sauce, too — what a wonderful way to top this cake off! I’ve bought 3 bunches of asparagus in the past week and a half already and show no signs of stopping. 🙂
Sarah says
I couldn’t hold off any longer and I FINALLY got some asparagus yesterday! Yay for spring!!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
YAY for SPRING! These magic are a fabulous way to celebrate!
Sarah says
Agreed! Thanks friend! xoxo
Meemz says
Hello,
Can I use all-purpose flour instead ?
Sarah says
All-purpose flour may be subbed, however you may need to add a little more than the recipe calls for. The batter should be slightly thin.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I bought the most gorgeous bunch of asparagus at my farmers market yesterday. Yum! Spring is almost here! And these magic cake bars look like absolute perfection. The more fresh berry sauce the better!
Sarah says
Sooo jealous that you have your farmer’s market already, Nat! I’m counting down the seconds until mine opens for the season. 😀
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
HOLY COW! These bars certainly look magical! Healthy but you would never know it!
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks so much Bethany!