These chewy Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the simplest way to turn a box of cake mix into a warm, chocolate-studded dessert. With instant pudding powder for added moisture and a combination of mini M&M’s and milk chocolate chips, every bite is rich, tender, and satisfying. They’re honestly some of the best cake mix cookie bars you can make.
These bars bake up gooey in the center with golden, slightly crisp edges — perfect for a birthday, holiday gathering, or a quick weeknight dessert. I always bake them for Christmas because they’re quick, crowd-pleasing, and transport well.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is foolproof and fast. It uses a few pantry staples and no mixer, and you can easily swap cake mix flavors to change the final result. Yellow, white, chocolate, lemon, or red velvet cake mix all work beautifully, so you can tailor the flavor to the occasion.
Ingredient Insights
- Boxed cake mix: Yellow cake mix gives a buttery, rich base. Any brand will work, and different flavors create fun variations.
- Pudding mix: A small box of instant vanilla pudding (dry) adds moisture and keeps the bars tender and chewy.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the bars soft and eliminates the need to melt butter. It helps maintain a chewy texture.
- Eggs: Bind the batter and give the bars a slightly cakey chewiness.
- Chocolate chips and M&M’s: A mix of mini M&M’s and chocolate chips adds color, chocolate pockets, and a classic cookie feel.
How to Make Cake Mix Cookie Bars
This recipe comes together in minutes and doesn’t require a mixer.
Step one: Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
Step two: In a large bowl, stir together the cake mix, dry pudding mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and the chocolate chips and/or mini M&M’s until combined. A rubber spatula works well since the batter is thick.
Step three: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan, pressing it into the corners to form a smooth layer.
Step four: Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center looks set. About 25 minutes is a good target. The center may appear slightly soft when removed; it will firm up as the bars cool.
Step five: Cool completely before cutting into squares. These bars are excellent served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Substitutions & Variations
- Change the chips: Substitute white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips for milk chocolate to try different flavors.
- Swap the cake mix: Use white, lemon, red velvet, or funfetti cake mix for a new twist.
- Add toppings: Press mini marshmallows, chopped candy bars, or extra M&M’s into the top before baking for a gooey topping.
Crissy’s Cake Mix Cookie Bar Tips
- Use room-temperature ingredients: They incorporate more evenly and yield a smoother batter.
- Grease the pan well: A light spray or parchment makes removal easy.
- Avoid overbaking: Pull when the edges are golden for soft, chewy bars.
- Let bars cool completely: Waiting before cutting prevents crumbling and gives clean slices.
- Serve with ice cream: A scoop of vanilla transforms these bars into a decadent dessert.
Storing Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days. To keep layers soft, place wax paper between them. These bars also freeze well—wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cake mix?
Yes. Any boxed cake mix will work. Try white, chocolate, lemon, or funfetti to vary the flavor and appearance.
Can I use melted butter instead of oil?
You can substitute melted butter, but vegetable oil keeps the bars softer and chewier.
Can I double this Cake Mix Cookie Bars recipe?
Yes. Simply double the ingredients and bake in two 9×13 pans.
More Holiday Treats
- Hershey Kiss Cookies
- Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies
- Snowball Christmas Cookies
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 small box instant vanilla pudding (unprepared)
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup mini M&M’s candies
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F.
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In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding mix, water, vegetable oil, eggs, and chocolate chips or M&M’s. Mix until fully blended.
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Spread the thick batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Use a light coat of nonstick spray or parchment.
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Bake 20–30 minutes, removing when the edges are golden and slightly crisp. About 25 minutes is ideal for me.
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The center may look soft; once cooled, the bars will set.
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Cool completely before cutting into 16 bars.
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Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates and should not replace professional medical advice. Actual serving sizes may vary.
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