Effortless & Chewy: The Ultimate 5-Ingredient Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Discover the secret to ridiculously easy and incredibly delicious dessert bars with this 5-ingredient cake mix cookie bar recipe. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are wonderfully chewy, delightfully soft, and generously studded with melty chocolate chips. From start to finish, you can have a fresh batch ready in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal last-minute treat for unexpected guests, school events, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth.
Why These Cake Mix Cookie Bars Are a Must-Try
This recipe is a true kitchen hero, streamlining the baking process without sacrificing flavor or texture. The magic lies in using a simple boxed cake mix as the base, which inherently contains a perfect blend of flour, sugar, leavening agents, and sometimes even a hint of flavor. By adding just a few more staple ingredients – water, eggs, vegetable oil, and chocolate chips – you transform a cake mix into a rich, dense cookie bar batter. This ingenious shortcut ensures consistent results every time, producing bars that are irresistibly chewy on the inside with a slightly crisp edge, mimicking the beloved texture of classic chocolate chip cookies but in a convenient bar format.
Not only are these cookie bars incredibly quick to prepare, requiring minimal cleanup, but they also offer a fantastic foundation for endless customization. Forget complicated ingredient lists or lengthy baking times. This recipe empowers you to create a delightful dessert in just 25 minutes, making it a go-to option for potlucks, parties, bake sales, or simply a cozy evening snack. It’s proof that you don’t need to be an experienced baker to create something truly special and delicious.
Unlock the Versatility of Cake Mix Baking
Beyond traditional cakes, boxed cake mixes are incredibly versatile and can be transformed into a myriad of delicious baked goods. Their pre-measured dry ingredients save time and ensure a consistent foundation, making them a favorite “secret weapon” for home bakers. This recipe for chocolate chip cookie bars is a prime example of cake mix ingenuity, offering a delightful twist on a classic. If you love experimenting with cake mix hacks, you’ll be thrilled to discover other fantastic creations like chewy chocolate cake mix cookies, rustic peach cobbler, or festive cake balls. Each of these recipes showcases the incredible potential of a simple cake mix, proving that delicious, homemade-tasting desserts are always within reach.
Essential Ingredients for Your Cookie Bars
Crafting these delectable cake mix cookie bars requires only a handful of common pantry items. You’ll be amazed at how such minimal ingredients can yield such a rich and satisfying dessert. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the conclusion of this post.
Ingredient Spotlight & Creative Substitutions
Understanding each ingredient and its potential variations can elevate your baking experience and allow for endless customization. Here’s a closer look at what goes into these fantastic cookie bars:
- CAKE MIX: Start with a standard-sized (typically 15.25 oz) yellow cake mix. The kind that traditionally calls for oil, water, and eggs works best as its dry ingredient balance is ideal for these bars. While yellow is a classic choice, feel free to unleash your creativity! Experiment with other flavors like vanilla, chocolate, funfetti, red velvet, or even spice cake mixes for a seasonal twist. Each variation will bring a unique character to your cookie bars, making them exciting every time. Ensure you’re using a full-sized box to maintain the correct batter consistency.
- CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Semisweet chocolate chips are our preferred choice, offering a balanced sweetness that complements the cake mix perfectly. However, the world of chocolate and mix-ins is your oyster! Consider substituting with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile. For a burst of festive color or unique taste, try cinnamon chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or colorful M&M’s. These additions are excellent for tailoring the bars to specific holidays, themes, or personal preferences. Chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or even dried fruits like cranberries, can also add wonderful texture and flavor.
- ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS: While these bars are delicious as is, a few simple additions can take them to the next level of decadence.
- For Extra Richness: Replace the ⅓ cup of water with ⅓ cup of melted unsalted butter. This swap introduces a deeper, richer flavor and a slightly more tender crumb, akin to a gourmet cookie.
- Boosted Flavor: Stir 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the wet ingredients before adding the cake mix. Vanilla amplifies the overall sweetness and aroma, adding depth to the cookie bars.
- Gourmet Touch: After the bars come out of the oven and are still warm, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flaky sea salt evenly over the top. The salt crystals provide a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate and the bar, creating a sophisticated sweet-and-salty experience that is utterly addictive.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Cookie Bars
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe successfully. For a printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, you can Jump to Recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with two pieces of parchment paper. Arrange the parchment so that it hangs over all four sides of the pan. This creates a “sling” that makes it incredibly easy to lift the baked bars out of the pan for cooling and cutting.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the vegetable oil, water, and egg. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and slightly frothy. This ensures an even distribution of the liquid components before the dry mix is introduced.
- Add Cake Mix: Pour the entire contents of the yellow cake mix box into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Stir everything together gently, but thoroughly, until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten too much and result in tougher bars. A few small lumps are perfectly fine.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the batter, reserving about 2 tablespoons for topping the bars later. Gently fold the chocolate chips into the batter using a spatula until they are evenly distributed.
EXPERT TIP: The batter should be thick and slightly sticky, resembling the consistency of a classic blondie batter. If it seems too dry, ensure your cake mix box was the correct size or that you measured liquids accurately.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the prepared batter into your lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the batter out evenly to cover the entire bottom of the pan. Sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips over the top of the batter. This ensures a beautiful, chocolate-speckled finish once baked.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The bars are ready when the edges begin to turn a light golden brown, but the center still appears slightly soft or “doughy.”
EXPERT TIP: Avoid overbaking! For the absolute best chewy and soft texture, it’s better to slightly underbake these bars. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool to room temperature, transforming into the perfect consistency.
- Cool and Cut: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely to room temperature. This is a crucial step for achieving the ideal chewy texture and for easy, clean cutting. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab of cookie bars from the pan, then slice them into individual bars or squares.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Once your cake mix cookie bars have cooled completely to room temperature, store them in an airtight container. To prevent them from sticking together or drying out, layer them between pieces of parchment paper. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. When freezing, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container.
Yes, you can experiment with other oils. Canola oil or a light olive oil (not extra virgin, as its flavor can be too strong) would work similarly. As mentioned in the “Ingredient Info” section, substituting the water with melted unsalted butter will yield a richer, more decadent bar with a slightly different flavor profile. The key is to maintain the overall liquid volume as specified in the recipe for proper consistency.
The batter for these bars should be thick and somewhat sticky, similar to a blondie batter. If your batter is too stiff, double-check your measurements, especially the liquids. A very slight addition of water (1-2 teaspoons) might help, but avoid adding too much. If it’s too runny, ensure your cake mix box was the correct 15.25 oz size, as smaller boxes will alter the dry-to-wet ratio. The type of cake mix can also subtly affect consistency; generally, follow the recipe closely.
The best indicator is to look for light golden-brown edges. The center of the bars should still look a little soft or slightly “underbaked” when you pull them from the oven. Resist the urge to keep baking until the center looks completely firm, as they will continue to cook and set as they cool. Overbaking is the quickest way to end up with dry, crumbly bars instead of soft, chewy ones.
Delightful Serving Suggestions
Once cooled and sliced, these cake mix cookie bars are ready to be enjoyed! Their inherent deliciousness means they’re perfect on their own, perhaps with a tall, frosty glass of cold milk – a timeless pairing that truly highlights their sweet, chocolatey goodness. For an extra special treat, consider gently warming a cookie bar in the microwave for a few seconds until the chocolate chips are slightly melted and gooey. Serve it alongside a generous scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, allowing the warm bar to slightly melt the ice cream, creating an irresistible dessert experience. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce would also make a wonderful addition.
Explore More Delicious Cake Mix Recipes
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these cake mix cookie bars, you’re in for a treat! The world of cake mix hacks is vast and full of delightful surprises. Here are a few more easy and impressive recipes that leverage the convenience of a boxed cake mix:
- Easy Homemade Cake Mix Donuts
- Bright & Zesty Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
- Fluffy 2-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake
- Decadent Banana Pudding Poke Cake
- Sweet & Chewy Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
I absolutely adore sharing my culinary adventures and kitchen wisdom with all of you! To make sure you never miss out on a new recipe, I offer a convenient newsletter delivered directly to your inbox every time a fresh post goes live. Simply subscribe here and start receiving your free daily dose of delicious inspiration!
Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions and Expert Tips within the blog post that you may find incredibly helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them for more detailed insights!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Save ItSaved!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 large egg
- 15.25 ounce yellow cake mix
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips reserve 2 Tablespoons for topping
Equipment You’ll Need
-
13×9 baking pan
-
Parchment paper
-
Large mixing bowl
Before You Begin – Important Tips
- The batter consistency for these cookie bars should be fairly thick and slightly sticky, much like a traditional blondie batter.
- To achieve the best chewy and soft texture, it is crucial not to overbake these bars. They will continue to firm up and set as they cool completely to room temperature.
- For an even more decadent flavor profile, consider replacing the 1/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter.
- While optional, enhancing the flavor with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract added to the wet ingredients and a sprinkle of 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt over the warm bars after baking will elevate this recipe significantly.
- Proper storage is key for freshness. Once fully cooled, keep the bars in an airtight container layered with parchment paper at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months for longer enjoyment.
Instructions for Baking
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lining it with two pieces of parchment paper, ensuring the paper extends over all four sides to create a convenient lifting sling.
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil, water, and large egg. Whisk these wet ingredients together thoroughly until they are well blended.
-
Add the entire 15.25-ounce box of yellow cake mix to the wet ingredients. Stir with a spatula until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
-
Gently fold in 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, setting aside 2 tablespoons to sprinkle on top before baking.
-
Transfer the thick batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the bottom. Then, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top for a beautiful finish.
-
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges of the bars are lightly golden brown and the center still appears slightly doughy. Remember, these bars continue to set as they cool, so avoid overbaking.
-
Allow the cookie bars to cool completely to room temperature within the pan before attempting to cut them. This ensures they achieve their perfect chewy texture and makes slicing much easier. Once cooled, cut into bars.
Nutrition Information
The recipes on this blog are meticulously tested using a conventional gas oven and a gas stovetop to ensure consistent results. It’s important to acknowledge that oven performance can vary significantly, especially with age. Utilizing an inexpensive oven thermometer can help verify your oven maintains the correct temperature, leading to more reliable baking. For those using toaster ovens or other countertop appliances, please note that heat distribution might differ from a full-sized oven, potentially requiring adjustments to cooking and baking times. For recipes involving pressure cookers, air fryers, slow cookers, or other specialized appliances, direct links to the specific models we use are provided within each recipe for reference. Additionally, in baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, we highly recommend adhering to these for optimal outcomes. While cup measurements are often included for convenience, we cannot guarantee identical results or success if only volumetric measurements are used, as consistency can be affected.
This post was originally published on March 14, 2023, and has been updated and expanded for enhanced content and clarity.