Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cookie Bars from a Cake Mix are a quick and easy way to make delicious, chewy, and perfectly textured cookie bars without all the effort of making dough from scratch. This recipe takes advantage of the convenience of a cake mix, transforming it into a soft, thick, and flavorful bar. With just a few additional ingredients, you can create a dessert that’s perfect for any occasion—whether you’re short on time or just craving something sweet. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile—you can customize them with your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or candy pieces for a fun twist!

Ingredients

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or your preferred flavor)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (or other mix-ins like M&Ms, nuts, or dried fruit)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well mixed, forming a dough-like consistency. The batter will be thick.
Add Mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips (or your choice of mix-ins like nuts, M&Ms, or dried fruit). Mix until evenly distributed.
Spread in the Pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, pressing it down into the corners and smoothing out the top.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
Cool and Slice: Let the cookie bars cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before slicing them into squares or rectangles. Allow them to cool completely before serving.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12-16 bars
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 30-35 minutes

Variations

Flavor Variations: Try using chocolate cake mix, red velvet cake mix, or funfetti cake mix for a different flavor base. The possibilities are endless!
Add-ins: Customize your cookie bars by adding chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, M&Ms, or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
Frosted Cookie Bars: For an extra indulgent treat, top your baked bars with frosting (store-bought or homemade) after they’ve cooled.
Brown Butter Option: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, brown the butter before mixing it into the batter. This will give your bars a toasty, caramelized flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy for several days.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap the cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them at room temperature or microwave for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes! You can use chocolate cake mix, red velvet, funfetti, or any flavor you like. The batter’s texture and sweetness will vary depending on the flavor you choose.

2. Can I make these cookie bars without eggs?

Yes, you can substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) or use applesauce or yogurt as an egg substitute.

3. Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free cake mix to make these bars gluten-free. Just ensure that the other ingredients you add are also gluten-free.

4. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, you can double the recipe and bake in a larger pan, such as a 9×13-inch pan or a larger rectangular pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

5. How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The bars are done when the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, continue baking for a few more minutes.

6. Can I add frosting to these cookie bars?

Yes! After they have cooled, you can spread a layer of frosting (chocolate, vanilla, or even cream cheese frosting) on top for an extra sweet treat.

7. Can I use a different type of butter?

Yes, you can substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegetable oil if you prefer. Coconut oil will give the bars a slightly coconut flavor, which works well with many cake mix flavors.

8. Can I use other mix-ins besides chocolate chips?

Definitely! You can use white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped candy bars, nuts, or dried fruit. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite!

9. How do I make the bars chewy?

To get chewy cookie bars, be careful not to overbake them. Slightly underbaking them will keep them soft and chewy. If you prefer a firmer texture, bake them a few extra minutes.

10. Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the dough! Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once they’re frozen, store them in a freezer-safe bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

Conclusion

These Cookie Bars from a Cake Mix are a quick, easy, and delicious dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth with minimal effort. They’re soft, chewy, and customizable with all your favorite mix-ins. Whether you’re looking for a simple treat to enjoy at home or need to bring something to a party, these bars are always a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the convenience of a cake mix while indulging in a delicious, homemade dessert!

Cookie Bars from a Cake Mix

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Cookie Bars from a Cake Mix are an easy and quick dessert that transforms a cake mix into soft, chewy bars. With just a few added ingredients, these bars are customizable and perfect for any occasion, offering a fun and flavorful treat.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Yield: 12-16 bars
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix (or your preferred flavor)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips (or other mix-ins like M&Ms, nuts, or dried fruit)

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Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until well mixed, forming a thick dough.
Fold in the chocolate chips (or your preferred mix-ins) until evenly distributed.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, pressing it down into the corners and smoothing the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs). Check for doneness as baking times may vary.
Allow the bars to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing them into squares or rectangles. Let them cool completely before serving.

Notes

For a different flavor, try chocolate cake mix, red velvet, or funfetti.
Add-ins like white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or dried fruit work great as alternatives to chocolate chips.
For extra indulgence, top the bars with frosting after they cool.
If you’d like a nuttier flavor, feel free to add chopped nuts or candy pieces to the dough.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 220
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg