Effortless Perfection: The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by these incredibly quick and easy cake mix cookie bars! Requiring just five simple ingredients, these bars deliver a delightful chewiness and softness, generously speckled with classic chocolate chips. Perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests, they come together from start to finish in approximately 25 minutes, offering a hassle-free route to a crowd-pleasing dessert that tastes anything but simple.
Why This Recipe Works: The Secret to Irresistible Simplicity
These cake mix cookie bars are a testament to the brilliance of using a boxed cake mix as a shortcut to homemade deliciousness. The magic lies in transforming a basic pantry staple into something entirely new – a chewy, soft cookie bar that’s incredibly easy to prepare. With just a standard yellow cake mix, water, eggs, vegetable oil, and a generous amount of chocolate chips, you’re well on your way to dessert heaven. Simply combine these few ingredients in a bowl, spread the batter into a baking dish, sprinkle with a few extra chocolate chips for good measure, and bake. It genuinely couldn’t be simpler!
The beauty of a cake mix is its versatility, extending far beyond the traditional cake. It acts as a fantastic base for a myriad of desserts, from rich chocolate cake mix cookies and comforting peach cobbler to adorable cake balls. Today, however, our focus is on these delightful chocolate chip cookie bars. Their chewy texture and irresistible flavor make them an instant staple for any occasion where you need a quick, last-minute dessert. Whether it’s a potluck, a party, or simply a treat for your afternoon snack, these bars are guaranteed to be a hit, saving you time without compromising on taste.
Gather Your Simple Ingredients
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list, making it a perfect pantry-friendly dessert. For precise measurements, the full ingredient list, and detailed instructions, remember to scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Ingredient Insights & Creative Substitutions
While the core recipe is fantastic as is, there’s plenty of room to personalize these cookie bars. Here’s a closer look at the ingredients and how you can get creative:
- CAKE MIX: Start with a standard 15.25 oz box of yellow cake mix. This is typically the kind that instructs you to add oil, water, and eggs. The yellow variety creates a classic, buttery cookie flavor, but don’t hesitate to venture out! Chocolate cake mix will yield rich, fudgy double chocolate cookie bars, while funfetti or strawberry cake mix can add a festive touch. Even a lemon or spice cake mix could offer an exciting new flavor profile. Ensure you’re using a mix that uses these liquid ingredients for optimal results.
- CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Semisweet chocolate chips are our preferred choice for their balanced sweetness and rich chocolate flavor, but the world of chips is your oyster! Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor, milk chocolate for extra creaminess, or white chocolate chips for a sweeter, vanilla-forward note. Beyond chocolate, consider cinnamon chips for a warm spice hint, peanut butter chips for a nutty twist, or butterscotch chips for a nostalgic caramel-like sweetness. For an extra pop of color and fun, especially for holidays or themed parties, M&M’s are an excellent substitute, offering a delightful candy crunch in every bite.
- OPTIONAL DECADENT ADDITIONS: To truly elevate these bars, consider these simple enhancements:
- Melted Butter: For an even richer, more decadent texture and flavor, swap out the 1/3 cup of water for 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter. This adds a depth of flavor and a slightly different crumb that’s incredibly luxurious.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of good quality vanilla extract added with the wet ingredients can significantly enhance the overall flavor, bringing out the inherent sweetness of the cake mix and chocolate.
- Flaky Sea Salt: Once the bars are fresh out of the oven, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top provides a beautiful contrast. The salt crystals cut through the sweetness, highlighting the chocolate and adding a gourmet touch that will impress everyone.
Crafting Your Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe successfully. For the complete printable version of this recipe, including all measurements and instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
- Prepare Your Pan: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, line a 9×13-inch baking dish with two pieces of parchment paper. Arrange them perpendicularly so the paper overhangs all four sides. This clever trick creates “handles” that will allow you to easily lift the entire slab of cookie bars out of the pan once baked and cooled, making cutting a breeze.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, water, and egg. Whisk them together thoroughly until they are well combined and slightly frothy. This ensures an even distribution of moisture throughout your cookie bar batter.
- Incorporate Cake Mix: Add the entire contents of the yellow cake mix box to your wet ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and will disappear during baking. Overmixing can lead to tougher bars.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently stir in the majority of your chocolate chips, reserving about 2 tablespoons for topping. This ensures every bite is loaded with melty chocolate.
EXPERT TIP: The batter should be quite thick, similar in consistency to a classic blondie batter. If it seems too thin, you might have used too much liquid or a cake mix that requires less. If it’s too thick to spread, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
- Spread and Top: Transfer the thick batter into your prepared baking pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it out evenly from edge to edge. This ensures uniform baking. Finally, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top for a beautiful presentation and extra chocolatey goodness.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the bars for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be lightly golden brown, while the center still appears a touch doughy or slightly underbaked. This is the key to achieving that perfectly chewy, soft interior.
EXPERT TIP: Resist the urge to overbake! These bars will continue to set and firm up as they cool down to room temperature. Pulling them out when the center is still a little soft ensures they remain wonderfully moist and chewy, rather than dry and crumbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely to room temperature in the pan. This is crucial for them to fully set and achieve their optimal chewy texture, as well as for clean, easy cutting. Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift them out, transfer to a cutting board, and slice into individual bars.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Once your delicious cake mix cookie bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For best results and to prevent sticking, you can layer them between pieces of parchment paper. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days. If you’re looking for a longer storage solution, these bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a quick treat.
Yes, you can! However, you may need to adjust the baking time. If using a smaller pan (e.g., an 8×8-inch pan), the bars will be thicker and likely require a longer baking time, possibly 30-35 minutes. If using a larger pan, they will be thinner and might bake faster, around 15-20 minutes. Always keep an eye on the edges for light golden-brown color and the center for a slightly doughy appearance.
The most common culprit for dry cookie bars (or cookies in general!) is overbaking. Remember the expert tip: pull them out of the oven when the edges are just starting to turn golden, and the center still looks a bit soft or gooey. They will continue to cook and set as they cool. An oven thermometer can also help ensure your oven is at the correct temperature.
Absolutely! This recipe is highly customizable. Consider adding chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans), sprinkles for a festive look, dried cranberries or cherries, or even different types of candy pieces (like chopped candy bars, mini peanut butter cups, or toffee bits). The key is to keep the total volume of mix-ins similar to the amount of chocolate chips to maintain the batter’s consistency.
Delightful Ways to Serve Your Cookie Bars
The beauty of these cake mix cookie bars lies in their effortless charm. Simply mix, bake, slice, and serve! They are absolutely delicious on their own, perhaps with a tall, frosty glass of cold milk for a classic pairing. For an extra special treat, warm a cookie bar in the microwave for a few seconds until the chocolate chips are gooey, and then serve it with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce would also be a fantastic addition, transforming a simple bar into a mini dessert masterpiece. They’re also perfect packed into lunchboxes or as a grab-and-go snack for busy days.
Explore More Easy Cake Mix Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of using cake mix, you’re in for a treat! There’s a whole world of quick and easy desserts waiting to be discovered. Expand your repertoire with these other fantastic cake mix creations:
- Fluffy Cake Mix Donuts
- Zesty Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Light & Airy Pineapple Angel Food Cake
- Decadent Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Sweet Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
I absolutely adore baking and cooking, and I find immense joy in sharing my kitchen adventures and tested recipes with all of you! Remembering to check back for new recipes every day can be a challenge, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter. Every time a new recipe is posted, you can receive it directly in your inbox. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily recipes!
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 large egg
- 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips reserve 2 Tablespoons for topping
Things You’ll Need
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13×9 baking pan
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Parchment paper
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Large mixing bowl
Before You Begin
- The thickness of the batter should be fairly similar to the thickness of blondie batter. If it’s too thin, your bars might spread too much; too thick, and they’ll be hard to spread.
- For the best chewy texture, be careful not to overbake. These bars will continue to set and firm up as they cool down to room temperature.
- To make these bars even more decadent and rich, use 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter instead of the water. This adds a lovely buttery depth.
- It’s not necessary, but to take the flavor of these bars to the next level, consider adding 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the wet ingredients. Additionally, once they are out of the oven, sprinkle 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt on top for a gourmet touch that balances the sweetness.
- Once they’re fully cooled, store these bars in an airtight container layered between pieces of parchment paper at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months for a longer-lasting treat.
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with 2 pieces of parchment paper so it hangs over all 4 sides, creating lifting handles.
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In a large bowl, add the vegetable oil, water, and egg. Whisk these wet ingredients together until well combined.
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Add the entire 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
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Stir in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, reserving 2 tablespoons for topping.
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Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.
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Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown but the center still appears slightly doughy. Do not overbake.
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Cool fully to room temperature in the pan before using the parchment paper to lift and cut into bars.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared here on March 14, 2023.