This 5-ingredient easy dessert recipe is a family favorite! You’ll love these chocolate chip cake mix cookie bars.
Cake Mix Cookies
Oh my goodness, if you’ve never tried these yellow cake mix cookie bars, you seriously don’t know what you’re missing! They taste like a cross between birthday cake and chocolate chip cookies, making them the ultimate treat for any occasion.
Cake mix cookie bars are unbelievably easy and incredibly delicious. If you’ve ever wanted to jazz up a boxed cake mix, this is the perfect way to transform it into a delicious, gooey dessert. These cake bars turn out perfectly thick and soft every time. The pockets of melted chocolate taste incredible paired with the yellow cake flavor.
These cookie bars are the best way to doctor up a box of cake mix (though our peach cobbler with cake mix is a close second). They’re made with just a few ingredients, which makes them so quick and easy to prepare. They literally take no time or effort at all to whip up. Once you see how easy they are to make, it will be your new favorite foolproof cookie recipe.
This yellow cake mix recipe is definitely a favorite dessert to make during the Christmas holiday. You can make them more festive by covering them with frosting and decorating them with green and red sprinkles.
You could even make them for a birthday party instead of baking an old fashioned birthday cake. The best part is that everyone will think you made these dessert bars from scratch! Plus, they’re easy to make with kids and they’ll make your whole house smell like a bakery.
If you’re a fan of easy dessert recipes like I am, be sure to check out Pioneer Woman’s Chocolate Pie while you’re here. It’s another chocolate lover’s dream come true!
Ingredients
Yellow Cake Mix: Using yellow cake mix is a faster and much easier way of baking cookie bars. It provides the perfect foundation for our delicious dessert, with just the right amount of sweetness and a tender crumb. No need to measure out all the dry ingredients like flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda. The cake mix gives the cookie bars a delicious flavor that’s all ready to go. Try using a white cake mix, chocolate cake mix, or even a funfetti cake mix for a different flavor profile.
Butter: Butter is the perfect fat to use for these bars because it’s solid at room temperature. That helps the baked goods hold together. Butter also adds a depth of flavor that vegetable oil just can’t replicate. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even try using browned butter for a nuttier taste. If you’re looking to make this recipe dairy-free, you can substitute coconut oil or use vegan butter.
Eggs: The eggs add a rich flavor, are essential for binding the ingredients together, and provide structure to the bars. Make sure you use large eggs for the best results.
Vanilla: Pure vanilla is best for any recipe because it has the best authentic vanilla flavor. However, since it’s a baked recipe, artificial vanilla will also work if you don’t have the real thing on hand. The flavor won’t be quite as delicious, but you’ll still have good results.
Chocolate Chips: Nestle Toll House chocolate chips are my personal favorite for this recipe, but feel free to use your preferred brand. They melt beautifully and have a rich, chocolatey taste that complements the yellow cake mix perfectly.
You can also get creative and substitute with white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, caramel bits, or even dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a different flavor profile.
How To Make Cake Mix Cookies
To a large mixing bowl add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk them together until combined. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Add in the cake mix and chocolate chips. Use a rubber spatula to stir together. While you’re mixing it is going to get thick and difficult to mix.
Transfer the mixed batter to the prepared baking dish. Use the rubber spatula to spread the dough evenly out to the edges.
Place the baking dish in the oven. Bake the bars until the edges turn golden brown and the surface starts to turn golden brown as well. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overbake.
Remove the cookie bars from the oven and let them cool before slicing and serving. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, cooking times, and helpful tips, etc.
Can You Use Melted Butter Instead Of Oil In Cake Mix Cookies?
Even though cake mix cakes are normally made with oil, it’s better to make cake mix cookies with butter. It gives the cookies a richer flavor and helps them hold their shape better.
Is There A Difference In The Taste Between Yellow Cake Mix And White Cake Mix?
Yellow and white cake mixes taste very similar. The difference between the two comes from the color and texture. Yellow cake mix uses the whole egg, so it gets its yellow color from the yolks. It also has a denser texture compared to white cake. White cake has a fluffy, sponge-like texture, and a lighter, more delicate flavor. Both work well in this recipe, so feel free to use your favorite!
Leftovers
If you do end up having any left over, store the leftover cookie bars in an airtight container with a paper towel on the bottom. This will help absorb any extra moisture and keep them fresh. I suggest storing them on the counter and not in the fridge to keep them soft. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Dessert Bars
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our dessert recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- Pecan Pie Brownies
- Raspberry Crumble Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Bars
- Lemon Blueberry Bars
- Toll House Cookie Bars
BEST Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
This 5-ingredient easy dessert recipe is a family favorite! You’ll love these chocolate chip cake mix cookie bars.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box yellow cake mix
- 1 3/4 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9x13 glass baking dish and set aside.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together. Add in the cake mix and chocolate chips. Use a rubber spatula to stir together (it will get very thick and hard to mix, that’s normal).
- Transfer the cake mix cookie bar dough to the prepared casserole dish, and use the rubber spatula to evenly spread the dough out to the edges.
- Place the uncovered baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake until the edges are golden brown and the surface just starts to turn golden brown (about 23-25 minutes). Be careful not to overbake the bars (overbaking makes them dry and hard).
- Once they’re finished baking, remove the cookie bars from the oven and let them cool. Once cooled, slice and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/18Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 11.9gCarbohydrates: 31.5gFiber: 1gSugar: 19.8gProtein: 2.6g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet treat at home, these easy cake mix cookie bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Happy baking, and enjoy these mouth-watering chocolate chip cookie bars with cake mix!
1 thought on “Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe”
These turned out great. I added pecans and topped with a little bit of chocolate syrup. They were a hit!