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 all love, there is no scooping necessary!
TL;DR - Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- 💛Why you'll love them: Simple ingredients and a 9x13 pan is all you need to get these in the oven right now!
- #️⃣Number of Ingredients: 4
- ⏲️Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥Cook Time: 20 minutes
- 🍪Recipes with similar flavor profile: Like my Funfetti cake mix cookies and these tahini chocolate chip cookie bars, this recipe is all fun with a twist of nostalgia and a little nostalgic.
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Key Ingredients
- 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.
Fun cookie bar 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!
How to make cake mix cookie bars
Preheat your oven to 350℉. Then line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs and oil and mix until well combined.
Step 2: The batter will be thick. Then stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 3: Grab your baking pan and dump the cake bar batter into the baking pan.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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!
Step 6: 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.
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.
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!
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📖 Recipe
30 Minute Cake Mix Cookie Bars (with chocolate chips)
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.
Sarah says
Just took two pans out of the oven: one with sprinkles on top, the other with crushed walnuts on one half and extra chocolate chips on top. It took no time to put the cookie bars together. I sprayed my fingers with cooking spray before spreading the batter out in the pan and that worked better than using water. Can't wait to try 'em!
Marni Katz says
These are my favorite go-to dessert when I'm crunched for time. I make them for Shabbat desserts a few times/month.