Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Bars are made with just 5 ingredients and are irresistibly delicious. Using a boxed cake mix, there is no need to scoop, chill, or measure the dough! These cookie bars are loaded with gooey chocolate chips throughout and the perfect quick dessert for any sweet tooth craving!
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Jump to:
- Easy Chocolate Chip Cake Bars
- Cake Mix Cookie Bar Ingredients
- How to make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Mix Bars
- Tips for Spreading the Batter
- Add In’s for Easy Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- How to store Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Variations for Cookie Cake Bars
- Tips for making the best Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- FAQ’s
- Check out these other great cookie recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Easy Chocolate Chip Cake Bars
Is there anything better than a shortcut dessert recipe? I think not! Especially one that not only has a cake like texture, but all the flavors of a classic chocolate chip cookie. Two favorites, combined into one sweet treat! I call that a win! Thick, buttery, and melt in your mouth delicious!
Like most cake mix recipes, these chocolate chip cake bars come together quickly using minimal ingredients! Hassle free and a dessert people of all ages will enjoy.
Perfect to serve at any party, gathering, potluck, picnic, and more because who doesn’t enjoy a good chocolate dessert, right?
Of course, if shortcut isn’t you thing, I also have these Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars made entirely from scratch! Whichever route you choose, you can’t go wrong!
Cake Mix Cookie Bar Ingredients
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and directions.
- Yellow Cake Mix- any brand will work for this recipe. Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines are the brands I tend to stick with. Don’t use the ingredients on the box. Follow the recipe as I have it listed below. Otherwise, you will be making a cake
- Eggs- large eggs
- Butter- unsalted butter, don’t use margarine
- Vanilla Extract- adds the perfect amount of sweetness, aim for pure versus imitation
- Chocolate Chips- semi-sweet is my favorite, however, use whichever flavor you prefer
How to make Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Mix Bars
- Combine- cake mix, eggs, butter, and vanilla.
- Add- the vanilla extract and fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press- cookie dough into the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking pan.
- Bake- in a preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 20-24 minutes. Remove from oven and cool before slicing/serving.
Tips for Spreading the Batter
One thing you will notice as you are combining ingredients, the batter will be THICK. That is okay and to be expected. My preferred method to spreading the cookie dough into the prepared pan is to use a rubber spatula. You can also use your hands if you prefer, just make sure you wash them first and add a little grease to them so the dough doesn’t stick. Slow and steady, you can spread the dough into a single layer using one of these easy methods.
Add In’s for Easy Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Here are some great options to add in to make these your own and have fun with different flavors.
- M & M’s
- Chopped Nuts
- Caramel Pieces
- Peanut Butter Chips
- Chocolate Chunks- in place of or in addition to the chips
- Crushed Oreos
How to store Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Room Temperature: In an airtight container, these chocolate chip cake mix bars will stay fresh for about 3 days.
Refrigerator: In an airtight container, these are great up to 5 days.
Freezer: In a freezer safe container, these will last up to 3 months. Thaw when ready to enjoy!
Variations for Cookie Cake Bars
- Use Devil’s Food Cake mix and Chocolate Chips to make these a double chocolate cookie.
- Red Velvet Cake mix and white chocolate chips make a fun variation. Great for birthdays and Valentine’s Day.
- Add in some peanut butter when stirring the batter. You can add in some peanut butter chips to make this a peanut butter cookie bar.
- In place of yellow cake, try using vanilla cake mix.
Tips for making the best Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Make sure you don’t over-bake these bars. They will become dry and hard if over-baked, which no one wants.
- Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before adding them into the recipe.
- Don’t over-mix. Fold until all ingredients are just combined.
- You can use a stand or hand mixer to combine ingredients, but use a wooden spoon to fold the chocolate chips into the dough as the dough is thick.
- Just before baking, press a few additional chocolate chips on top for a prettier presentation.
FAQ’s
Do I need to grease my pan when baking these bars? YES! This helps them to easily be removed once slicing and prevents any sticking to the pan. No sticking means easier clean up!
Why are my cake bars hard? Unfortunately, that typically happens when the dough is over-mixed. Next time you make these, fold ingredients together until just combined.
How will I know when these are fully baked? Since you want to avoid over-baking these bars, use the tried and true toothpick test. Insert into the center of the pan and when the toothpick comes out clean, the pan is ready to be removed from the oven.
Why are these called bar cookies? Due to the fact these are cut into squares versus the classic circle, these are often referred to as cookie bars.
Check out these other great cookie recipes
Texas Sheet Cake Cookies– soft and moist cookies are made with cake mix and then covered in a decadent but simple cooked chocolate frosting.
Easy M & M Cookie Bars– thick and chewy M&M Cookie Bars are made with basic pantry staples and capture all the chewy deliciousness of regular M&M cookies without needing to scoop or roll the dough!
Joanna Gaines’ Chocolate Chip Cookies– a tried and true classic recipe from the infamous Joanna Gaines
Chocolate Brownie Cookies– SO super fudgy! You will absolutely love this cross between a cookie and a brownie because they are chocolatey, chewy, require no chill time, and only take 20 minutes to make from start to finish!
Easy Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies– soft and chewy in the center and perfectly crispy around the edges.
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Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups chocolate chips, semi-sweet
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press batter into bottom of prepared pan. *Batter is thick so use a spatula or your hands
- Bake in preheated oven for about 20-24 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving!
Nutrition
robbyn says
can these be frozen 3 weeks ahead of time..and still taste fresh
Kristin says
Absolutely! These freeze perfectly!