Description
Indulgent cake mix cookie bars blend sweet simplicity with irresistible texture, creating a dessert that whisks you from ordinary to extraordinary. Crumbly edges, gooey centers, and endless flavor possibilities make these bars a quick, delightful treat for spontaneous cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces / 432 grams) yellow cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Mix-In Ingredients:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Optional variations: M&Ms, sprinkles, or nuts
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Create a rich, dense base by thoroughly blending cake mix with melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Enhance the cookie bars’ texture and flavor by gently incorporating chocolate chips or preferred mix-ins, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Transfer the thick batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread the mixture into an uniform layer that reaches all corners and edges.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and checking the center’s doneness with a toothpick that should emerge relatively clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which helps them set and makes cutting easier.
- Once cooled, slice into square portions, creating clean cuts with a sharp knife.
- Optional: Elevate the dessert’s presentation by drizzling melted chocolate or adding a light frosting glaze for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Swap cake mix flavors to create endless variations like lemon, strawberry, or funfetti for exciting taste transformations.
- Use gluten-free cake mix to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising the delicious chewy texture.
- Experiment with different mix-ins like nuts, dried fruit, or crushed candy to personalize the bars and add unexpected flavor bursts.
- Slightly underbake the bars by 2-3 minutes for an ultra-soft, gooey center that melts in your mouth and creates a decadent dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg