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Home » Recipes

4-Ingredient Cake Mix Cookie Bars (with chocolate chips)

Modified: May 22, 2025 · Published: Feb 18, 2025 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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Guys! This is one of those recipes that you are going to make on repeat throughout the school year.  Cake mix cookie bars are going to be THE afterschool and lunchbox treat your kids ask for time and time again…and you’ll be happy to oblige because they are just so simple to make. And unlike the cake mix chocolate chip cookies we love, there is no scooping involved!

4-simple ingredients and a 9x13 pan is all you need to get these into the oven now.  Like my Funfetti cake mix cookies and these tahini chocolate chip cookie bars, this recipe is all fun and a little nostalgic.  Best of all they are super quick to make.  I bet you can’t eat just one!

Now, grab your bowl and let’s get baking.

chocolate chip cookie bars cut into squares
Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • How to make cake mix cookie bars
  • Fun variations
  • Cutting cookie bars
  • Make ahead and storage tips
  • More easy dessert recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

ingredients to make cake mix cookie bars
  • Yellow Cake Mix: You are just going to use the dry ingredients from the box, do not follow the instructions on the back of the box.
  • Chocolate chips: I use the semisweet chocolate chips from TJ’s, but you can use any chocolate chips you like.
  • Eggs: I always bake and recipe test with large eggs
  • Oil: Vegetable oil is my go to for this recipe so that it remains parve.  If you don’t need it to be dairy free you can substitute the oil for softened butter of the same amount.

How to make cake mix cookie bars

Preheat your oven to 350℉.  Then line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

cake mix, eggs and oil in a glass mixing bowl

In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs and oil  and mix until well combined. 

chocolate chips added to cake mix cookie bar batter

The batter will be thick.  Then stir in the chocolate chips.

ball of cookie bar dough in a parchment line baking shit

Grab your baking pan and dump the cake bar batter into the baking pan. 

cake mix cookie bar batter pushed into a 9x13 baking pan

Run a little bit of water on your hands and then press the batter into an even layer.  The water will keep the batter from sticking to your hands.

baked chocolate chip cookie bars still in a pan

Feel free to press a few more chocolate chips into the top, then pop into the oven for 20-25 minutes.  You don’t want to over bake these bars or they will be dry!

cookie bars cut into squares

Remove from the oven, and let the chocolate chip cookie bars cool for a few minutes, then remove the parchment paper from the pan and cut into bars.

Fun variations

You can easily customize the cake mix cookie bars by either changing the flavor of the cake mix or the type of add-ins you choose.  Here are a few suggestions that we love!

  • Chocolate peanut butter: Use a chocolate cake mix and Reese’s pieces candies.
  • M&M cookie bars: Swap the chocolate chips for plain m&m’s.
  • Funfetti cookie bars: Swap the yellow cake mix for Funfetti cake mix and add extra sprinkles.  I would even frost these and serve at any celebration!

Cutting cookie bars

Cutting cookie bars into different shapes can make your presentation more fun and interesting.  Other than the basic square cut, I like to use the following as well:

  • Rectangle: My kids call them “fingers” but a longer rectangle is easy for little hands grab, great for dipping in brownie batter dip.
  • Triangles: Cut the tray of chocolate chip cookie bars into squares and then diagonally into triangles.  They are smaller bites and stack nicely on a serving tray.
stack of cookie bars ona white plate

Make ahead and storage tips

These cake mix cookie bars are so easy to whip up I don’t recommend making them in advance.  I like to make them the day I am serving them and then immediately pop them into a zip top bag or air tight container for storage.  They dry out easily.

I store them on the counter for a day, maybe 2 tops.  Better yet, freeze them immediately and defrost as you need them.  I like to separate them with wax paper or parchment paper in the freezer so they can be grabbed individually to put into lunches.

Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

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📖 Recipe

chocolate chip cookie bars cut into squares

30 Minute Cake Mix Cookie Bars (with chocolate chips)

Marni Katz
Cake mix cookie bars with chocolate chips are the ultimate shortcut dessert—soft, chewy, and packed with melty chocolate in every bite. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, these bars come together in no time. Whether it's a last-minute treat for a gathering or a simple way to satisfy a sweet craving, this recipe is as easy as it gets. No mixer, no fuss, just delicious cookie bars every time!
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Family Favorite
Servings 24 bars
Calories 163 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉.  Then line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs and oil  and mix until well combined.  The batter will be thick.  Then stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Grab your baking pan and dump the cake bar batter into the baking pan.  Run a little bit of water on your hands and then press the batter into an even layer.  The water will keep the batter from sticking to your hands.
  • Feel free to press a few more chocolate chips into the top, then pop into the oven for 20-25 minutes.  You don’t want to over bake these bars or they will be dry!
  • Remove from the oven, and let the cookie bars cool for a few minutes, then remove the parchment paper from the pan and cut into bars.

Notes

Ingredient swaps: Vegetable oil is my go to for this recipe so that it remains parve.  If you don’t need it to be dairy free you can substitute the oil for softened butter of the same amount.
Storage Tips: These cake mix cookie bars are so easy to whip up I don’t recommend making them in advance.  I store them on the counter for a day, maybe 2 tops.  Better yet, freeze them immediately and defrost as you need them.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 167mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 0.05mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cake mix cookie, cake mix recipe, chocolate chip cookie
Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

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About Marni Katz

Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
"I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

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As a busy mom of three, I believe in keeping recipes simple. 7-ingredients or less is my goal, and everything is kid-tested and approved!

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