Looking for a dessert that’s incredibly easy to make, totally customizable, and always a hit? You’ve found it! Get ready to explore not just one or two, but a whopping thirteen different flavor combinations for these amazing cake mix bars. Inspired by the simplicity and deliciousness often found in Pioneer Woman recipes, these cake bars are made with just four base ingredients (plus whatever exciting add-ins you choose!). In under 30 minutes, you can whip up a batch of soft, chewy cake mix cookie bars that will disappear in no time. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
4-Step Cake Mix Cookie Bar Recipe
You read that right – just four simple steps stand between you and these delectable treats! If you’re a fan of effortless baking, just like many Pioneer Woman fans are, then easy cake mix recipes are your best friend. And these cake mix cookie bars are about to become a new staple in your dessert repertoire. Below, we’ll guide you through the base recipe and then unleash a treasure trove of 13 mouthwatering variations. Whether it’s a last-minute dessert for a weeknight or a fun treat for a special gathering, these cake bars have you covered.
What makes these gooey cake bars so irresistible? Let’s count the reasons: they taste absolutely divine, they are endlessly adaptable to your cravings, clean-up is a breeze with just one bowl needed, and they are unbelievably quick and easy to prepare.
Pro-tip: Keep a box of your favorite cake mix in your pantry – it’s a game-changer for spontaneous dessert cravings and last-minute sweet emergencies. These cake bars are so simple, you can bake them anytime!
Simple Ingredients for Cake Mix Bars
Simplicity is key here! Just 4 basic ingredients, plus your choice of delightful add-ins, are all you need to create these cake magic bars. You’ll find the precise measurements and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the end of this post. But here’s a quick peek at what you’ll gather:
- Cake mix: The star of the show! Choose any flavor that sparks your interest.
- Eggs: Essential for binding and creating that perfect chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds richness and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor, adding a touch of warmth.
- Add-ins: This is where the fun begins! Chocolate chips, candies, nuts, sprinkles – let your imagination run wild!
Rows of rich chocolate cake mix bars, showcasing the fudgy texture.
Baking Cookie Bars with Cake Mix: 4 Easy Steps
For a dessert that feels like a homemade treat but comes together in minutes, cake mix cookie bars are the answer. Everyone will adore these gooey, flavorful bars! The full recipe awaits you in the recipe card below, but let’s walk through the four super-simple steps right now:
- Get Ready to Bake. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175°C). Take a 9×13 inch baking pan and lightly grease it with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside, ready for the batter.
Ingredients for easy cake mix bars: cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
- Mix and Combine. In a large mixing bowl, pour in your chosen cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until just combined. Now, fold in your selected add-ins. Don’t be surprised if the batter seems quite thick – that’s exactly what we want!
Mixing funfetti cake mix batter for cookie bars with white chocolate chips.
- Pan Prep. Transfer the thick batter into your prepared baking pan. Using a spatula or even your clean hands, gently spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan. If you’re feeling extra generous, sprinkle some additional add-ins on top for an even more decadent treat.
Unbaked funfetti cake mix bars in a pan, ready for the oven.
- Bake, Cool, and Enjoy! Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges start to puff up and turn golden brown, and the center is just set. Resist the temptation to cut into them right away! Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature in the pan before slicing into squares. This cooling time is crucial for that perfect chewy texture.
Simple ingredients for red velvet cake mix bars: cake mix, vanilla, white chocolate chips, eggs, and butter.
13 Cake Bar Flavor Combinations to Try
Ready to get creative? The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to cake mix cookie bars. To inspire your baking adventures, here are 13 fantastic flavor combinations. You’re sure to find a perfect match for every occasion, from holiday celebrations to simple weeknight desserts:
- Classic Chocolate Chip: Yellow cake mix + chocolate chips
- Double Chocolate Delight: Chocolate cake mix + chocolate chips
- Festive Christmas Sprinkle: Yellow cake mix + Christmas sprinkles
- Peanut Butter Cup Crave: Chocolate cake mix + Reese’s Pieces
- Funfetti Fun: Funfetti cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Elegant Red Velvet: Red velvet cake mix + white chocolate chips
- M&M Mania: Yellow cake mix + M&Ms
- Sweet Strawberry Dream: Strawberry cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss: Chocolate cake mix + chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
- Cool Andes Mint: Chocolate cake mix + Andes mint pieces
- Zesty Lemon Burst: Lemon cake mix + white chocolate chips
- Spiced Carrot Cake: Carrot cake mix + walnuts
Pantry staples for cake mix cookie bars: funfetti cake mix, vanilla, white chocolate chips, eggs, and butter.
Substitutions and Baking Variations
While the base recipe is pretty perfect as it is, here are a few tweaks you can make if needed:
- Butter Swap: If you’re out of butter, you can substitute with canola or vegetable oil in equal measure. The texture might be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Extract Alternatives: Vanilla extract adds a lovely warmth, but feel free to experiment! Peppermint extract (for mint chocolate bars) or coconut extract (for a tropical twist) can be fun flavor boosters.
- Cake Mix Adventures: Don’t limit yourself! Explore the vast world of cake mix flavors. Lemon cake mix with white chocolate chips creates bright lemon bars, and strawberry cake mix with white chocolate chips is another winning combination.
Storing Your Cake Mix Bars
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store your cooled cake mix cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay wonderfully soft and chewy for 3-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze, ensure the bars are completely cooled, then freeze them in a single layer or stacked between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container or bag.
Variety of cake mix bar flavors, including chocolate, red velvet, funfetti, and M&M.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cake Mix Bars
Q: What’s the real difference between cookie mix and cake mix?
A: The main distinction lies in the ingredient ratios. Cookie dough generally has a higher fat content, making it thicker and often requiring chilling before baking. Cake mix is formulated for a lighter, more airy texture.
Q: Cookie vs. Cookie Bar – what’s the scoop?
A: It’s all about baking and serving style! Cookies are baked individually, shaped into rounds or cutouts. Cookie bars are baked as a single sheet of batter in a pan and then cut into bars after baking. Easier for big batches!
Q: How do I know when my cookie bars are perfectly baked?
A: Look for visual cues. The center should be golden brown and just set, not jiggly. The edges will be slightly puffed and golden.
Q: Uh oh, my cookie bars turned out hard! What went wrong?
A: Over-baking is the usual culprit for hard cookie bars. Be sure to take them out of the oven as soon as the edges are set and the center is golden. They’ll continue to bake and set up as they cool in the pan, resulting in a soft, chewy texture.
Q: Can I rescue undercooked cookie bars?
A: Yes, you can! Gently return them to the oven at a lower temperature (around 325°F or 160°C) to finish baking the center without drying out the edges. Keep a close eye on them.
Q: Help! My cookie bars are too dry. Is there a fix?
A: Don’t despair! Place the dry cookie bars in an airtight container with a slice of fresh bread overnight. The cookie bars will absorb moisture from the bread and soften up.
More Easy Cake Mix Dessert Recipes
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Cake Cookie Bars
By: Beth
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
I am giving you not one, not two, but thirteen different flavor combinations for these cake bars! Made in less than 30 minutes, with just four base ingredients (and whatever add-ins you want), these soft, chewy cake mix cookie bars are always a huge crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 15.25 oz cake mix, pick any flavor!
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups add-ins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir in the add-ins.The batter will be very thick.
- Transfer the batter to the pan and use a spatula or your hands to evenly distribute the batter across the pan. Top with additional add-ins if desired.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the edges puff up and begin to set. Cool the bars completely before cutting.
Video
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Notes
COMBINATIONS:
- Chocolate Chip: yellow cake plus chocolate chips
- Double Chocolate: chocolate cake plus chocolate chips
- Christmas Sprinkle: yellow cake plus christmas sprinkles
- Reese’s Pieces: chocolate cake plus reese’s pieces
- Funfetti: funfetti cake plus white chocolate chips
- Red Velvet: red velvet cake plus white chocolate
- M&M: yellow cake plus M&Ms
- Strawberry: strawberry cake plus white chocolate chips
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: chocolate cake plus chopped reese’s peanut butter cups
- Andes Mint: chocolate cake plus andes mint pieces
- Lemon: lemon cake plus white chocolate chips
- Carrot Cake: carrot cake plus walnuts
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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