If you’re craving a dessert that combines the ease of a cake mix with the irresistible allure of chocolate chip cookies, you are going to love this Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars take just minutes to whip up, turning basic pantry staples into a golden, chewy, evenly baked treat bursting with melty chocolate chips. Whether you’re after a simple weeknight dessert or a crowd-pleasing snack for gatherings, these bars deliver big on flavor and are incredibly satisfying every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and that perfect golden color that makes your eyes light up before you even take a bite.
- Yellow cake mix: The base of this recipe provides a soft and tender crumb that keeps the bars moist and cake-like with a hint of sweetness.
- Large eggs: Eggs bind everything together and add richness for a smooth dough.
- Melted butter: Butter adds a luscious buttery flavor and helps achieve that chewy texture everyone loves in cookie bars.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The star of the show—the melty chocolate chips are evenly distributed, giving each bar little pockets of chocolate heaven.
How to Make Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first, set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to warm up while you get your ingredients ready. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray so your cookie bars release easily once baked.
Step 2: Mix It Up
In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until they come together into a thick, rich dough. This is the moment when the magic starts—everything should be blended smoothly with no dry patches.
Step 3: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly dispersed without overmixing. This ensures you get a satisfying chocolate burst in every bite without the batter turning runny.
Step 4: Press Batter into Pan
Transfer the dough into your prepared baking pan. It will be thick, so use a spatula lightly coated with cooking spray or even your clean hand to press the dough down evenly to the corners and edges. This step ensures even baking and perfect bar shape.
Step 5: Bake
Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re aiming for a lightly golden top with edges that are set but still soft inside. The smell alone will make you eager to take them out!
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Once baked, allow the cookie bars to cool for 10 to 15 minutes in the pan. This cool-down period lets them set properly so you can slice clean squares without crumbling. Then cut into 12 generous bars and get ready to indulge.
How to Serve Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar can add a lovely touch, or drizzle warm caramel or extra melted chocolate over the top for an elegant finish. Toasted nuts or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top can elevate these bars to next-level indulgence.
Side Dishes
Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the rich chocolatey flavor. A glass of cold milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee also pairs wonderfully for an afternoon treat or dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the bars on a colorful platter and garnish with fresh berries or edible flowers to add a pop of color. Cut the bars smaller for bite-size dessert squares perfect for buffets or pack them into clear treat bags with ribbons for lovely homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This helps retain their moist texture and rich flavor, so they stay as delightful as the first day.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, perfect for prepping treats ahead of time or enjoying them later.
Reheating
To warm frozen or refrigerated bars, microwave each piece for about 15 to 20 seconds or reheat in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes. Reheating brings back that fresh-baked softness and gooey chocolate goodness.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic and yields a buttery base, you can experiment with vanilla or even spice cake mixes for unique variations of this recipe.
What happens if I add more chocolate chips?
The bars will be extra chocolatey and luscious. Just be mindful not to add too many or the batter may become too dense and affect baking time.
Can I substitute butter with oil?
Butter gives great flavor and texture, but you can replace it with vegetable or canola oil in the same quantity if needed, though the bars may turn out a bit less rich.
How thick will the bars be in a 9 x 13 pan?
The dough creates a decadent, thick layer around an inch deep, giving you chewy bars with a soft and tender crumb that are perfect to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Is it necessary to grease the baking pan?
Yes, greasing the pan prevents sticking and ensures your cookie bars release easily without breaking apart. Nonstick spray works perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is a must-try treasure for anyone who loves easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing desserts. It’s fast, foolproof, and delivers that perfect balance of cake-like softness and cookie bar chewiness, all loaded with melty chocolate chips. Dive into this recipe and treat yourself and your loved ones to simple homemade happiness!
Print
Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cake Mix Cookie Bars are an easy, delicious treat made from a yellow cake mix combined with eggs, melted butter, and chocolate chips. Baked until golden brown, they make perfect, chewy bars for any occasion with minimal prep time and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Add-ins
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking.
- Prepare the baking pan: Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the bars from sticking.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until the mixture is well combined. Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter.
- Spread the batter: Transfer the thick batter into the prepared baking pan. Lightly coat a spatula or your clean hand with cooking spray or vegetable oil to press the batter evenly into the pan, smoothing it out.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes. Once cooled, slice into 12 squares and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute chocolate chips with other add-ins like nuts, white chocolate chips, or dried fruit for variation.
- Make sure not to overbake to keep the cookie bars chewy and moist.
- Coating your spatula or hand with cooking spray makes spreading the sticky batter easier.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
