Gooey Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe

Irresistible Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe: Baking Joy in a Flash

Weekends call for sweet treats that spark joy, and these decadent cake mix cookie bars will send taste buds soaring to new heights of deliciousness.

Soft, chewy, and packed with an irresistible gooey texture, this simple dessert comes together in minutes.

The magic happens when classic cake mix meets chocolate chips and a touch of love.

Each bite delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that rivals bakery-fresh cookies.

Minimal ingredients and easy preparation make this recipe perfect for baking novices and seasoned pros alike.

Rich, indulgent, and sure to vanish quickly from any dessert plate, these cookie bars promise to become a household favorite.

Grab a glass of cold milk and prepare for pure cookie bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

For Base Mix:
  • Cake Mix: Provides a quick, foolproof foundation with pre-mixed dry ingredients for soft, tender bars.
  • Butter: Adds rich moisture and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture; use unsalted for better flavor control.
For Binding and Flavor:
  • Eggs: Act as crucial binding agents that help hold the bars together and provide structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and depth, adding a warm aromatic backdrop to the cookies.
For Mix-Ins and Customization:
  • Chocolate Chips: Introduce delightful pockets of melty chocolate throughout the bars; choose semi-sweet for balanced sweetness or dark chocolate for intense flavor.
  • Optional Mix-Ins: Perfect for personalizing – consider nuts, sprinkles, dried fruit, or alternative chocolate varieties to match your mood.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Melted Chocolate: Creates a luxurious drizzle that elevates the visual appeal and adds extra indulgence.
  • Frosting: Offers a sweet, decorative touch that can transform the bars into a more elaborate dessert.
  • 9×13-inch baking pan: Essential for creating perfectly sized cookie bars.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cake mix, butter, eggs, and vanilla.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring the thick dough and folding in chocolate chips.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Parchment paper: Helps with easy removal and prevents sticking.
  • Toothpick: Useful for checking if bars are fully baked.
  • Cooling rack: Helps bars cool evenly and quickly.
  • Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350 degrees and grab your favorite baking pan. Quickly line it with parchment paper or give it a light butter massage to prevent sticking.

  • Create The Magic Mixture

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in your cake mix. Pour in melted butter, crack some eggs, and splash vanilla extract. Stir everything until it becomes a luscious, thick batter. Sprinkle in chocolate chips or whatever delightful treats you’re craving.

  • Transform Into Deliciousness

Spread the dough across your prepared pan, making sure it’s smooth and even. Slide the pan into the heated oven and let the magic happen. Watch for golden edges and a perfectly set center – about 20-25 minutes of baking bliss.

  • Cool And Celebrate

Allow your cookie bars to chill completely before slicing. Cut into squares and marvel at your creation. For an extra touch of decadence, drizzle with melted chocolate or a swirl of frosting. Enjoy your homemade treat with a big smile!

  • Flavor Fusion Fun: Experiment with different cake mix flavors like lemon, red velvet, or funfetti to create unique cookie bar variations.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking for convenient prep and deeper flavor development.
  • Texture Tricks: For chewier bars, slightly underbake by 2-3 minutes and let them finish setting while cooling on the counter.
  • Dietary Swaps: Convert to gluten-free by using gluten-free cake mix and dairy-free butter alternative for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Mix-In Mania: Get creative with add-ins like crushed candy, nuts, dried fruit, or different chocolate chip varieties to personalize your bars.
  • Party Platter Presentation: Arrange bars on a colorful platter with fresh strawberries and mint leaves for a gorgeous dessert display that looks professionally styled.
  • Decadent Dessert Companion: Serve alongside vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a rich, indulgent treat that elevates the simple cookie bars.
  • Gifting Delights: Wrap individual bars in clear cellophane with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
  • Snack Time Upgrade: Pair with cold milk or hot coffee for a delightful afternoon snack that satisfies sweet cravings and provides a quick energy boost.
  • Quick Refrigeration: Store cooled bars in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to maintain their delicious flavor.
  • Room Temperature Storage: Leave bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve texture.
  • Freezing Technique: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying for best taste and consistency.
  • Portion Control Trick: Cut bars into uniform squares before storing. This makes grabbing a quick treat easier and helps maintain portion sizes for snacking or meal prep.
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Gooey Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe

Gooey Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful cake mix cookie bars bring together two beloved desserts in one irresistible treat. Chocolate chips and a simple base create a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert that you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) yellow cake mix
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • Optional: M&Ms, sprinkles, or nuts

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
  2. Batter Creation: Blend cake mix with melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency. Gently fold in chocolate chips or preferred mix-ins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
  3. Pan Filling: Transfer the thick batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread the mixture into an even layer that reaches all corners and edges.
  4. Baking Process: Bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown edges and checking the center’s doneness with a toothpick that should emerge relatively clean.
  5. Cooling and Finishing: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into square portions with a sharp knife. Optionally, drizzle melted chocolate or add a light frosting glaze for extra indulgence.

Notes

  • Precise Mixing Technique: Blend ingredients thoroughly without overmixing to maintain a soft, tender texture and prevent tough, dense bars.
  • Temperature Control: Let butter and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother incorporation and more consistent baking results.
  • Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with different chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits to personalize the flavor profile and add exciting texture variations.
  • Cooling Critical: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan to stabilize structure, making cutting cleaner and preventing crumbly edges.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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