Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

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posted by Crissy Pageon Oct 30, 2016 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 48 comments »

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My cake mix cookie bars are my number one go-to easy dessert recipe. This recipe is one of the most loved on my blog. Don’t miss it!

Many years ago, my mother-in-law introduced me to using cake mixes to make cookies. Mind=blown!

After poking around the web for a good cake mix cookie bars recipe recently—because I heart easy recipes—when I came across a great cake mix cookie bars recipe on Southern Bite called The Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Ever.

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

It’s true, this recipe is dead simple, and you’ll end up with soft, golden, ooey-gooey cake mix cookie bars chock full of chocolate chips and M&M’s. Seriously, these are crazy good.

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

I mean, come on. Look at these photos.

It literally took me like 5 minutes to dump a few simple ingredients into a bowl, pour it into a baking dish, and throw it in the oven.

I am an instant gratification kind of girl, and while I enjoy baking, I don’t have the patience for anything really fancy. I wish I did!

These cake mix cookie bars would make an excellent addition to a holiday party, especially if you’re crunched for time and want something warm, chewy, and delicious with very little fuss.

I have to admit, I could tell these cake mix cookie bars were going to be heavenly just by the way the batter looked and smelled.

The batter was golden, and the bright holiday M&M’s looked like a smattering of twinkling festive ornaments in the bowl.

Of course, after the holiday season, you could use just plain chocolate chips, regular M&M’s or even mini peanut butter cups as mix-ins. Your options are really endless with this recipe.

I’m a fan of soft and chewy, but you could bake these another 10 minutes for crispier cake mix cookie bars.

Before you run off to pin and print this recipe (which you totally SHOULD), I can’t let you leave before I send you over to my special chocolate raspberry bars and my chewy pecan pie bars!

Ingredients

1 Box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1 Small box instant vanilla pudding (just put in the powder!)
1/4 Cup water
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
2 Eggs
1 Cup chocolate chips. I used 1/2 cup holiday mini M&M's and 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Combine cake mix, pudding, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and chips or M&M's in large bowl.
Pour the batter (it's going to be thick) into a greased 9x13 pan. I sprayed my dish with nonstick cooking spray which worked well.
Bake your bars for 20-30 minutes (I took mine out at 25.)
It may look sort of raw in the middle but if the edges are just golden and starting to get crispy, it's probably perfect.

originally published on Oct 30, 2016 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

48 comments Leave a comment »

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48 comments on “Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe”

Cathy — December 12, 2023 @ 12:13 am Reply
What do I do if I don’t have a box of pudding ??
- Crissy Page — December 12, 2023 @ 1:44 pm Reply
  I would get a box of pudding, or find a recipe that doesn’t call for pudding. :)
Shedera — December 11, 2023 @ 10:13 am Reply
These cookie bars are always a hit! I’ve used this recipe for years… but haven’t made them since I noticed Betty Crocker decreased their cake mixes to 13.25 oz. Any modifications to the recipe now that most cake mixes are 13.25 oz instead of 15.25 oz?
- Crissy Page — December 11, 2023 @ 7:53 pm Reply
  Wow, you know, I never really thought about it! I haven’t tried that yet!
Ashley — December 10, 2023 @ 5:10 am Reply
Instead of baking them as bars, could they be scooped out and baked like a cookie?

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- Crissy Page — December 11, 2023 @ 8:38 am Reply
  Haven’t tried it, but probably!
Chris — November 27, 2022 @ 12:54 pm Reply
When using a boxed cake mix to make cookies or bars, does it taste like a cake or like a cookie? I am curious of the texture.
Chris — February 17, 2021 @ 5:15 pm Reply
Try chocolate cake mix and peanut butter chips.
Tessa — December 21, 2020 @ 7:00 am Reply
Love this bar recipe! Ihave made these many times around the holidays with the original recipe (yellow cake mix, vanilla pudding, chocolate chips, & M&M’s), they are always a huge hit! For a different variation in the Spring / Summer, I made this bar recipe using lemon cake mix, cheesecake pudding, & white chocolate chips)… oh my! Those were divine too! I could also see cheesecake pudding & white chocolate chips working well with strawberry cake mix or even pineapple cake mix to make other variations of these amazing cookie cake bars !
Diane — December 16, 2019 @ 7:52 am Reply
Can you make these a head of time? How do you store them without drying out?
Abby — December 15, 2019 @ 8:46 pm Reply
Did you prepare the cake mix or did you just add the powder to the other items?
Anna — December 15, 2019 @ 11:08 am Reply
Can I make these into cookies? I need a good, easy recipe for a cookie exchange. If so, any guess on baking time?
Rating: 5
- christine — October 30, 2020 @ 10:02 pm Reply
  Cookie BARS are considered cookies…I take them to cookie exchanges all the time and they are a HIT!…everyone wants a good recipe that has shortcuts and this takes much less time than individually dropping raw balls of cookie dough…
Nancy Rovatti — December 14, 2019 @ 3:54 pm Reply
can you make cookies out of this recipe and not bars?
Thanks Nancy
Maria — December 12, 2019 @ 7:46 pm Reply
How many servings should come out from this? Also instead of doing bars, would individual cookies bake fine?
Nicole j Scheeler — December 6, 2019 @ 8:07 pm Reply
did you use the cake mix that used oil or butter?
- Crissy Page — December 9, 2019 @ 8:37 am Reply
  Oil!
  - Carrie — December 21, 2019 @ 9:39 am
    Can you use chocolate cake mix instead of yellow?
Marissa — December 3, 2019 @ 9:41 am Reply
Will this work with sugar free cake mix and sugar free pudding?
- Crissy Page — December 3, 2019 @ 10:38 am Reply
  Hey Marissa, I haven’t tried it, but I would think so!
Courtney — December 1, 2019 @ 4:40 am Reply
Do you think a sugar free cake mix and jello would work for this recipe?

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Anne — November 26, 2019 @ 3:40 pm Reply
Thank you for the great recipe, I made this sugar free by using sugar free cake mix, sugar free vanilla pudding and sugar free chocolate chips..
Rating: 5
Tonya — August 31, 2019 @ 6:52 pm Reply
Tried this today. Very fast and easy. Thank you!!
Rating: 5
Michelle — June 22, 2019 @ 6:21 pm Reply
Can these be baked ahead and frozen?
Tracy — March 21, 2019 @ 5:23 pm Reply
Made this recipe twice……once with chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding….those 2 plus the chocolate chips was like chocolate heaven……second time with yellow cake mix and chocolate pudding..was a lighter version of the first but still fabulous. Am so glad to have found this recipe thank you so much for sharing
Rating: 5
Kelly — January 20, 2019 @ 8:03 am Reply
My daughter and friends love these. It’s a fun sleepover favorite!
Rating: 5
MermaidCoder Girl — January 14, 2019 @ 3:11 pm Reply
So good!!
Rating: 5
LeLanie — December 9, 2018 @ 6:46 pm Reply
So easy and perfect for quick office parties
Rating: 5
Nina — November 21, 2018 @ 10:39 am Reply
I’ve made these 4 or 5 times, and they are a huge hit with everyone. Someone always asks for the recipe. I’m making them for a Thanksgiving dessert this year. They’ve become one of my staple easy sweet treats. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Rating: 5
Gale — November 14, 2018 @ 8:05 pm Reply
Just made these for the family. Used gluten free cake mix instead of the regular one. It is so yummy
Rating: 5
- Betsy — February 3, 2019 @ 5:14 pm Reply
  Good to know! I just used a GF mix & was hoping it would work. Only had chocolate pudding, ha ha, so I might as well have used a chocolate cake mix.
Cindy Freeman — September 8, 2018 @ 4:43 pm Reply
I made these this morning for a bbq I’m going to tonight. I sampled them……oh my!!!! They are good. Thanks for the recipe
Rating: 5
Tami — July 12, 2018 @ 5:44 pm Reply
Sorry…..another question do you combine just by stirring or use a mixer??
Tami — July 10, 2018 @ 3:47 pm Reply
How do you store them? Just countertop and covered?
- Crissy — July 11, 2018 @ 10:52 am Reply
  Yes, Tami!
Jennifer — July 8, 2018 @ 10:47 am Reply
This has become one of my ‘go-to’ recipes when I need something easy but delicious! People ask for the recipe whenever I bring it to a party. I’m making it as I write his for a bbq today. I make the recipe Exactly as described here. Thanks!!
Rating: 5
- Crissy — July 9, 2018 @ 12:01 pm Reply
  Thank you so much for leaving a review, Jennifer. Glad you love them!!
- Heather — December 6, 2019 @ 1:20 pm Reply
  How many bars does this make?
Andrea — July 2, 2018 @ 9:56 pm Reply
I just made these substituting a chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding….my family loved them and they were so very easy!
Rating: 5
Shadi — December 30, 2017 @ 3:03 am Reply
These are amazing. I made them for “Santa” and he ate very last morsel :-)
Rating: 5
- Crissy — December 30, 2017 @ 4:31 pm Reply
  Gotta LOVE those treats for SANTA! Santa ate a lot of treats on Christmas Eve at our house too. :)
Nina — December 24, 2017 @ 1:59 pm Reply
This was awesome the whole family loved it.
Rating: 5
Pixie lake — December 17, 2017 @ 12:03 pm Reply
Easy! Tasted great. Crispy edged and moist center
Jessica O'Kane — November 30, 2017 @ 12:50 pm Reply
hi! i was wondering what size the small box of jello was. i have two at home and not sure which to use (3.4 oz box or 1.85 oz box)
Michelle — December 31, 2016 @ 8:31 pm Reply
One of my favorite go-to recipies… also, subbing out chocolate cake and chocolate pudding TOTALLY works as well :)
REBECCA STEPHEN — December 30, 2016 @ 5:02 pm Reply
these cookies look so good, I’m going to make them for my children
Mary Jo — December 29, 2016 @ 8:28 pm Reply
I have made this before just like recipe and they came out awesome! I got rave reviews from friends and family. This time I changed it and used peanut butter chips and m&ms abs although everyone still liked them, I was disappointed because I couldn’t really taste the peanut butter chips. Still awesome recipe
BeetRice — November 1, 2016 @ 4:31 pm Reply
Thank you from an overworked mom who doesn’t bake often because it’s such a chore….my poor kids. But now I can do this, and other variations: Chocolate cake with white chocolate chips or nuts, Lemon with poppy seed and orange zest…..

FAQs

How to doctor a cake mix? ›

8 Ways To Make Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade

Swap Oil for Melted Butter.
Exchange Water for Dairy.
Enhance With Extracts.
Incorporate Sour Cream or Mayo.
Add Nuts.
Make Homemade Frosting.
Layer With Fillings.
Turn it into a Poke Cake.

Apr 12, 2024

What does adding extra egg yolk do to cake? ›

Why are eggs so important in a cake? Eggs, much like soy are emulsifiers and they help to hold the rest of the ingredients together. This creates more structure in your cake or baked goods. Adding an extra yolk will only help to hold the batter together better.

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What does adding pudding to cake mix do? ›

Put some pudding in the mix: Add a small box of pudding mix in with the cake mix. (Don't make the pudding.) The mix adds additional flavor, moistness, and a denser texture.

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How do you pimp a box cake mix? ›

8 Simple Tips and Tricks to Make Box Cake Better

Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk. ...
Substitute Sour Cream in the Mix. ...
Substitute Oil for Butter. ...
Use More Eggs. ...
Add Vanilla Extract. ...
Make It a Chocolate Lovers' Cake. ...
Decorate Your Cake Like A Pro.

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How to make box cake taste like a bakery cake? ›

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

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How to make a box cake mix extra good? ›

Boxed cake mixes can take on a lot of extra flavor and a little more liquid, so don't be afraid to add a splash of vanilla or almond extract to a white cake or a little coffee extract to a chocolate cake. Fresh lemon or orange zest is wonderful in a lemon cake and also divine in a yellow or white cake.

Should you beat eggs before adding to cake mix? ›

Martina says, “Late in the mixing stage, eggs will incorporate better if you lightly beat them before adding to the batter. The finished cake may be slightly shorter than expected, but its flavor and tenderness shouldn't be affected.” For egg-leavened cakes, the eggs are crucial.

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What if I need 3 eggs and only have 2? ›

1. Whisk together water, oil, and baking powder. This is a great substitute if you need to replace multiple eggs in a recipe, as it won't make the baked good too greasy or change its flavor profile (like some other substitutes). A simple combination of water, baking powder, and vegetable oil mimics eggs almost to a T.

What's the secret to a moist cake? ›

Seven Bakery Secrets to Incredibly Moist Cakes Every Time

Use Buttermilk Instead of Milk.
Add Vegetable Oil.
Use Instant Clearjel or Instant Pudding Mix.
Use the Right Recipe.
Don't Overbake.
Bake in Sheet Pans Instead of individual Cake Pans.
Use a Simple Syrup or Glaze.

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How much sour cream should I add to my cake mix? ›

ingredients

1 (18 1/4 ounce) package yellow cake mix.
1 cup sour cream.
¹⁄₃ cup vegetable oil.
¹⁄₄ cup water.
¹⁄₄ cup sugar.
4 large eggs.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

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Why do you put Jello in cake mix? ›

Here are the effects of adding Jell-O gelatin to cake mix:

Enhanced flavor: Adding Jell-O gelatin to cake mix can enhance the flavor of the cake. ...
Moisture: Jell-O gelatin can make the cake more moist. ...
Color: Jell-O gelatin can add color to the cake. ...
Density: Adding Jell-O gelatin can make the cake more dense.

More items...

View Details ›

What does adding cream to cake mix do? ›

Folding in whipped cream turns a boxed mix cake into the best version of itself. The cake is almost impossibly moist without being greasy, light and bouncy while still keeping it's structure, and has a tender crumb that seems almost too consistent throughout the cake.

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How to make box cake rise higher? ›

To make a box cake mix rise higher, try using a smaller pan, adding an extra egg, using milk instead of water, adding baking powder, mixing for longer, using room temperature ingredients, baking at a higher temperature, or using cake strips.

How to make a fluffier box cake? ›

Swap out each cup of water called for with milk. Buttermilk: Instead of water, use the same amount of buttermilk. The acid in the buttermilk interacts with the leavening agents in the mix for a better rise. "Swapping out the water for buttermilk creates a fluffier cake and a moister one, too," says Waterson.

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How to make box cake more dense and moist? ›

You can try any of the following: adding a 1 oz. package of pudding (any flavor that complements the cake's flavor profile), adding 1-2 egg yolks (along with the eggs called for on the box), or substituting milk for the water called for on the box.

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How do you make store bought cake mix fluffier? ›

1. Add More Eggs. To get an extra rich and moist cake, stir in two extra egg yolks along with the eggs the recipe calls for (save the egg whites to make these delicious meringues). For a lighter and more airy cake, use only egg whites (and save the egg yolks for crème brûlée).

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How do you doctor up a dry cake? ›

One way to do this is to brush the cake with a simple syrup made of equal parts sugar and water. Another way is to poke holes in the cake and pour a mixture of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk over it. You can also add a layer of frosting or whipped cream to the cake to add moisture.

Why do bakers doctor a box cake? ›

While their convenience can't be denied, the reality that they're not homemade hangs over them. That's where doctoring up boxed mix comes in—not only can it make the cake taste better, but it also makes people feel like they're baking.

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Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Ingredients

Instructions

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48 comments on “Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe”

FAQs

How to doctor a cake mix? ›

Why do you put Jello in cake mix? ›

References