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Ultimate Chewy Cake Mix Cookie Bars (3-Ingredient Shortcut)

Close-up of two thick, chewy chocolate chip cake mix cookie bars served on a white plate.
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Make these incredibly easy and chewy cake mix cookie bars using just three base ingredients. This simple pantry dessert hack creates soft, gooey bars perfect for quick weeknight treats or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) cake mix (any flavor, e.g., yellow, chocolate, funfetti)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup mix-ins (e.g., chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, eggs, and melted butter. Mix with a spoon or spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Fold in your chosen mix-ins, such as chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
  4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  5. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached.
  6. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
  7. Cut into squares and serve.

Notes

  • For a richer, fudgier bar, substitute the melted butter with 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
  • To make Peanut Butter Swirl bars, reserve 1/4 cup of the dough, mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter into the remaining dough, spread it in the pan, then dollop the reserved dough on top and swirl gently with a knife.
  • If using a dark cake mix (like chocolate), reduce the baking time by 2 minutes to keep the bars gooey.
  • These are excellent beginner friendly dessert recipes; no mixer required baking saves time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/cakemixcookiebars/