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
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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