cake mix cookie bars

There are some recipes that just become instant family favorites, the ones you can whip up on a whim when a craving strikes or when you need a crowd-pleasing treat without a whole lot of fuss. For me, those recipes are often born from a cake mix. I know, I know, some purists might scoff, but hear me out! My absolute go-to for a quick, delicious, and totally satisfying sweet is what I like to call my “Cake Mix Cookie Bars.” Think of them as the best parts of a chewy chocolate chip cookie, but in an impossibly easy bar form. They’re seriously a lifesaver on busy weeknights when the kids are begging for something sweet, or when unexpected guests pop over. Honestly, they’re so simple, I sometimes make them just because the smell of them baking fills the house with that warm, comforting aroma we all crave. If you love a classic chewy cookie but dread the scooping and rolling, you are going to adore these cake mix cookie bars. They’re going to be your new best friend, trust me!

What are cake mix cookie bars?

So, what exactly are cake mix cookie bars? It’s exactly what it sounds like: a dreamy, chewy bar made from a humble box of cake mix! Instead of the traditional flour, butter, sugar, and eggs you’d use for regular cookies, we start with a cake mix as our base. This gives us a fantastic head start on flavor and texture. It’s essentially taking all the guesswork out of getting that perfect cookie dough consistency. You’re basically getting a pre-portioned, pre-mixed foundation of flavor and leavening, which is genius. We then add a few simple binders and flavor boosters, press it into a pan, and bake it into a glorious, shareable slab. It’s a cookie, but it’s a bar. It’s cake-like, but it’s chewy like a cookie. It’s that perfect middle ground that makes it so universally loved. Think of it as the ultimate shortcut to cookie perfection, no rolling pins or cookie sheets required!

How do I make cake mix cookie bars?

Quick Overview

The magic of these cake mix cookie bars lies in their effortless construction. You’ll essentially mix a few ingredients into your chosen cake mix to create a soft, pressable dough. This dough is then spread into a prepared baking pan. We often add a delightful swirl or topping for an extra layer of flavor and texture, and then it’s off to the oven. The result is a tender, chewy bar that’s far more satisfying and less labor-intensive than traditional cookies. It’s the ultimate ‘dump and mix’ scenario that yields bakery-worthy results right in your own kitchen. You can’t beat that for convenience!

Ingredients

For the Main Batter:
1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (yellow, vanilla, or white cake mix work best for a neutral base, but chocolate is amazing too!)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (I sometimes use salted, it just adds a little extra flavor)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but it really enhances the flavor, especially with vanilla or yellow cake mix)

For the Filling (Optional but Highly Recommended!):
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate are my favorites)
1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are wonderful)
OR
1/2 cup jam or preserves (raspberry or strawberry are delightful)
OR
1/2 cup peanut butter or Biscoff spread, slightly warmed for drizzling

For the Glaze (Optional, but oh-so-pretty!):
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk or water (start with 2, add more for a thinner consistency)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep Pan

First things first, let’s get our oven ready. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Now, grab an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan. I find an 8×8 gives you a thicker, chewier bar, while a 9×9 will be a little thinner and bake up a bit quicker. Line your pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This is my secret weapon for easy removal later; no sticking, no fuss, just lift it right out!

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, you’ll add your entire box of cake mix. That’s it for the dry part! No sifting, no measuring flour – that’s the beauty of using a cake mix. Just pour it all in.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

To the bowl with the cake mix, add your two large eggs and the slightly cooled melted butter. If you’re using vanilla extract, now’s the time to add that in too. The melted butter is key here; it’s what gives these bars their wonderful chewy texture, more so than softened butter would. Make sure the butter isn’t piping hot when you add it to the eggs, or you might end up with scrambled egg bits!

Step 4: Combine

Now, mix everything together. You can use a sturdy spoon or a rubber spatula. Start mixing gently. The mixture will be thick and a bit crumbly at first, almost like cookie dough. Don’t overmix it! Just keep going until everything is just combined and there are no dry streaks of cake mix left. Overmixing can make the bars tough, and we want tender goodness!

Step 5: Prepare Filling

This is where you can get creative! If you’re adding chocolate chips or nuts, just stir them right into the dough. If you’re going for a jam swirl, dollop spoonfuls of jam over the dough in the pan and use a knife or toothpick to swirl it through. For a peanut butter or Biscoff swirl, warm your spread slightly so it’s drizzly, then drizzle it over the dough and swirl. I often find a mix of chocolate chips and a few chopped pecans is absolutely divine.

Step 6: Layer & Swirl

Take about two-thirds of your dough and press it evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking pan. It might be a bit sticky, so wetting your fingers slightly or using the bottom of a small glass can help. If you’re doing a jam or peanut butter swirl, you can either swirl it into this bottom layer or dollop it on top before adding the remaining dough. Then, take the rest of your dough and crumble it over the top, pressing gently to cover the filling. If you didn’t swirl a filling, you can press chocolate chips or nuts directly into the top layer too. For a jam swirl, you can also just dollop it on top of the bottom layer and then cover with the remaining dough.

Step 7: Bake

Pop that pan into your preheated oven. Bake for about 25-30 minutes for an 8×8 pan, or 20-25 minutes for a 9×9 pan. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Be careful not to overbake, or they’ll turn out dry. Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on them towards the end!

Step 8: Cool & Glaze

This is arguably the hardest part: letting them cool! Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. If you try to cut them too soon, they’ll likely fall apart. Once they’re mostly cool, you can lift them out using the parchment paper overhang. If you’re adding the glaze, mix your powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth. You want a consistency that’s thick enough to drizzle but thin enough to spread easily. Drizzle it over the cooled bars. Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Step 9: Slice & Serve

Once the glaze is set (or if you skipped the glaze), use a sharp knife to slice the bars into squares or rectangles. I usually cut mine into 16 squares from an 8×8 pan. They are absolutely divine when still slightly warm, but they’re also fantastic at room temperature. Serve them up and watch them disappear!

What to Serve It With

These cake mix cookie bars are so wonderfully versatile, they fit into almost any meal or occasion! For breakfast, I love them with a strong cup of coffee. They’re surprisingly good alongside scrambled eggs or a fruit salad if you’re having a more elaborate brunch. For a delightful brunch spread, serve them alongside some fresh berries and maybe a mimosa or some sparkling cider. As a dessert, they’re heavenly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. They’re also just perfect for a cozy afternoon snack with a glass of cold milk. My kids always ask for these when they have friends over, and they’re always the first thing to go at any potluck. They’re also fantastic for packing into lunchboxes because they hold their shape so well. Honestly, any time you’re craving something sweet and comforting, these bars are the answer.

Top Tips for Perfecting Your Cake Mix Cookie Bars

I’ve made these cake mix cookie bars more times than I can count, and over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that really make a difference. For starters, the type of cake mix matters! While you can use almost any, a good quality yellow or vanilla cake mix will give you the most neutral and adaptable flavor base. If you use a chocolate cake mix, you might want to add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to deepen the chocolate flavor, though it’s not strictly necessary. When it comes to the butter, make sure it’s fully melted and slightly cooled. This is crucial for that chewy texture. If it’s too hot, it can cook the eggs slightly. Speaking of eggs, using large eggs is important for the right consistency; anything smaller and your bars might be a bit too crumbly. And please, please don’t overmix the dough! Just combine until it’s no longer streaky. Overmixing develops the gluten too much, leading to tough bars. When it comes to adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, I usually stick to about a cup total. More than that can make the dough hard to spread. For the jam swirl, I’ve found that using a thicker, seedless jam works best. If your jam is very thin, it can make the bars a bit soggy. For the glaze, it’s all about consistency. Start with less liquid and add more tablespoon by tablespoon until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. If you accidentally make it too thin, you can always whisk in a little more powdered sugar. And one final tip I learned the hard way: always, always let them cool completely before slicing, especially if you’re using a glaze. Patience is a virtue when it comes to these delicious bars!

Storing and Reheating Tips

One of the best things about these cake mix cookie bars is how well they store. If you have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can keep them at room temperature for about 2-3 days. Just make sure they are in an airtight container. If they have a glaze on top, the glaze will help keep them fresh. For longer storage, pop them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to a week in an airtight container. The texture might firm up a bit in the fridge, but they’re still delicious. If you want to freeze them, that’s totally doable too! I like to cut them into individual squares first, then wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can enjoy them straight from the fridge or freezer, or you can warm them up slightly in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds for a wonderfully gooey treat. If you froze them with glaze, the glaze might get a little soft when thawed, but it still tastes great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

I really hope you give these cake mix cookie bars a try! They’re just one of those magical recipes that prove you don’t need to be a gourmet baker to create something truly delicious and crowd-pleasing. They embody everything I love about home baking: simple ingredients, minimal fuss, and maximum flavor. They’re perfect for those moments when you need a treat, fast, or just want to fill your home with that comforting, sweet aroma. If you enjoyed these, you might also like my super simple Peanut Butter Blossoms or my One-Bowl Brownies for more easy wins in the kitchen. I can’t wait to hear what you think and how you customize your own cake mix cookie bars! Please leave a comment below and tell me your favorite mix-ins or cake mix flavors. Happy baking!

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Easy and delicious cake mix cookie bars, perfect for any occasion!

Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

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Ingredients

  

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Main Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet
• 0.5 cup sprinkles optional, for decoration

Instructions

 

Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until well combined.
• Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Sprinkle with sprinkles, if using.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Notes

These bars are great for parties and potlucks!