These One-Bowl Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the perfect quick dessert to satisfy any sweet craving—whether it’s for a last-minute bake sale, a cozy holiday party, or just because it’s been one of those days.
When life gets busy, but your sweet tooth won’t wait, these One-Bowl Cake Mix Cookie Bars come to the rescue. They’re soft, gooey, and packed with melty chocolate goodness—yet they’re made with pantry staples and mixed up in minutes.
It’s an easy way to make cookies without all the fuss. Just mix the batter, get it into the pan, and bake.
If you’re looking for an easy dessert recipe made with a handful of ingredients, look no further. All you need is a box of cake mix, a few pantry staples, and about 5 minutes of prep time!
This cake mix cookie bars recipe is my go-to when I need something foolproof, fast, and delicious. The texture is chewy on the inside with just the right amount of crispy edges, and the flavor combinations are endless. These bars taste like homemade chocolate chip cookies, but with none of the hassle—no chilling, no rolling, and no mixer required.
I love recipes like this that are effortlessly easy and kid-approved. It’s one of those desserts I can throw together on a whim, and they’re always a hit at family gatherings, after-school snacks, or casual potlucks. The best part? No mixer needed, and only one bowl to clean.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Cookie Bars
- Use parchment paper for easy slicing and cleanup
- Don’t overbake—look for golden brown edges and a soft center
- Let bars cool to room temperature before cutting so they don’t fall apart
- Try different cake mix recipes to match the season or occasion
- Keep a few boxes of cake mix in the pantry for whenever the craving hits!
- Adjust your baking pan size for different thicknesses. A 9×13-inch pan gives you a classic cookie bar, but you can use an 11×7 or 8×8 for thicker, chewier bars (just extend the bake time by 5–10 minutes).
One-Bowl Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Perfectly Simple
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 15.25 Ounces Yellow Cake Mix 1 box of yellow cake mix or any flavor
- 2 Large Eggs
- ½ Cup Butter or lard melted, or vegetable oil
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Cups Chocolate Chips or any candy of choice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease or line a baking pan (9×13-inch) with parchment paper or nonstick cooking spray. A prepared pan with parchment is the easiest way to lift and slice your bars once they’re cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Mix until a thick cookie dough forms. No need for a hand mixer—a rubber spatula or wooden spoon does the trick.15.25 Ounces Yellow Cake Mix, 2 Large Eggs, ½ Cup Butter, 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Fold in your favorite chocolate chips or candy. This is where the boxed cake mix becomes a great base for all your favorite sweet treats. Think beyond chocolate chips: peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or butterscotch chips are all amazing.2 Cups Chocolate Chips
- Spread the cookie bar batter evenly into your baking dish. The batter is thick—don’t worry! I recommend pressing it in with gloved hands, a spatula, or the back of a spoon. Using parchment paper makes this step and cleanup much easier.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. The center should still look a little soft—these are meant to be gooey cake bars, not dry!
- Allow to cool completely at room temperature before cutting. Straight out of the oven, the bars will be gooey cookies—they need time to firm up. Cooling also makes it easier to lift them out using the parchment paper.
Your Own Private Notes
Notes
Pro Tips
The thickness of the cookie bars will depend on the size of your baking dish. A 9×13-inch pan gives you a nice, medium-thick bar. For thicker bars, you can use a smaller pan—just increase the bake time slightly and keep an eye on the edges. The batter is sticky! I like to divide it into two halves and spread each half into one side of the pan using gloved hands or a spatula. It takes a few minutes to press it in evenly, but it’s worth it!Nutrition
Easy Variations to Try Next Time
This original recipe is incredibly flexible. Use it as a base recipe and try these ideas:
- Swap yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix, white cake mix, or strawberry cake mix
- Stir in a packet of pudding mix for extra moisture and flavor
- Stir in M&Ms, chopped nuts, toffee bits, or sprinkles for texture and color.
- Use sweetened condensed milk and a layer of chocolate chips for a gooey magic bar version
- Add a swirl of peanut butter, Nutella, or caramel between two layers of dough
- For thicker bars, use an 11×7-inch or 8×8-inch baking pan—just increase bake time slightly
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert
Why We Love This Easy Recipe
- Uses simple ingredients and one large bowl
- No need for a hand mixer or complicated tools—just a wooden spoon or rubber spatula
- Adaptable with any boxed cake mix flavor or mix-ins
- Perfect for beginners, kids, or anyone craving easy desserts
- Stores well in an airtight container for lasting freshness
Storage Tips
Store the cooled cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Ideas
These bars are delicious all on their own, but you can also:
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Drizzle with caramel or chocolate sauce
- Dust with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish
If you’re craving something sweet but don’t want a pile of dishes or a complicated process, this One-Bowl Cake Mix Cookie Bar recipe is your best friend. It’s simple, satisfying, and just a little bit indulgent—everything a great dessert should be.
My family loved this!