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Cake Mix Cookie bars use a cake and pudding mix to keep it quick and simple for loads of yummy flavor in only 30 minutes!
The Easiest Cake Bars
We are HUGE fans of cakes and bars so of course we also love cake bars!!
And what could be better than cookie bars made with a cake mix?! These cake mix cookie bars also use a pudding mix to add flavor and contribute to the gooey texture. We then mixed in BOTH chocolate chips and M&Ms making them even better!!!
Using a cake mix in a dessert is one of our favorite shortcuts in a recipe, and we love that this one is ready to eat hot from the oven in only 30 minutes!
They are quick and easy to make and even easier to devour! For more cookie goodness try our classic Cookie Bars.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- When you need a quick treat. You’ll enjoy every bite of this cookie bar recipe ready in only 30 minutes!!
- Our favorite shortcuts. This easy dessert recipe uses both a cake mix and a pudding mix for an easy shortcut with loads of flavor!
- Feeds a crowd!!! This recipe makes a pan-full – around 16 servings! They are great for sharing.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 24 minutes
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix – We used Betty Crocker, but other brands and flavors will work. Use only the cake mix powder in this recipe, do not add ingredients listed on the box.
- 1 (3.4-ounce) small box of Instant White chocolate – Or use vanilla pudding mix, must be INSTANT pudding. Use only the pudding powder in this recipe, do not add ingredients listed on the box.
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup vegetable oil – or canola oil
- 2 large eggs – room temperature
- 1 cup mini M&Ms, divided
- ½ cup chocolate chips – Milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips all work. You can also use white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips.
- optional toppings – Chocolate Syrup, Caramel Sauce, or a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
How to Make Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- BATTER. In a large bowl combine 1 box cake mix powder, 1 box pudding powder, ¼ cup water, ¾ cup oil, and 2 eggs using a mixer. Mix until well combined. Fold in ½ cup chocolate chips and ½ cup mini M&Ms.
- BAKE. Pour the cookie dough into a greased 9×13 pan (a metal pan works best). Sprinkle with remaining M&Ms. Bake for 24-28 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.
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Video
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix, I used Betty Crocker
- 1 (3.4-ounce) small box Insant White chocolate or vanilla pudding mix
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mini M&Ms, divided
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl combine cake mix, pudding, water, oil, and eggs using a mixer.
- Mix until well combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips and ½ cup mini M&Ms.
- Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.
- Sprinkle with remaining M&Ms.
- Bake for 24-28 minutes or until golden brown on the edges.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store cooled cake mix cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days or wrap each bar with plastic wrap and place them all in a freezer ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipe adapted from Parent Pretty.
Betty Crocker cake mixes have gone from 18 to 16 to 15.25 and now like 13 ounces. As they are now 13 ounces, how do I remedy that for this recipe? I guess by 2 cake mix boxes and weigh the mix til I get 15.25 oz for this recipe.
We looove these cookie bars so much!! Thank you for recipe 🙂
You’re welcome!! Yes, you could do that. It’s crazy how the mix sizes are so small now. You could also look for a different brand that is still 15.25 oz. Some still are.
Thanks, so many options & delicious too
Love this recipe! I have used funfetti chips and topped with sprinkles or decorated them for whatever occasion. They come out great every time!, I keep the cake mix and a bag of funfetti or white chocolate chips so that I can make them on the fly for a tailgate or party!
Made these with yellow cake mix and vanilla pudding, Reese’s pieces, chocolate chips, mini PB cups and white chocolate chips for Halloween. They were a big hit!
Easy and baked beautifully. I used a white cake mix with white choc pudding. Will make these again.
This was much needed after cleaning out my cupboards. I followed recipe using what I had found amongst the rubble…. white cake mix, pistachio pudding, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries. So good! It seems like there are endless variations but next time I’m going to use the same exact flavors in your recipe! Ty!!
Yes, you can definitely get creative with the flavors!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for sharing!
These look so good and would be perfect when you need a desert for company in a hurry 😍 😋
Can I use carrot cake mix, or lemon ? And if so what pudding do you think would go with those?
Yes, you definitely could! You could use vanilla pudding with the carrot & lemon or vanilla with lemon.
These look amazing!!
Best recipe, kids love amd so do adults!!
Yes, they do! Thanks!
This is a wonderful recipe. I made it with yellow cake mix and I happened to have a Godiva chocolate and caramel pudding mix and used that! I added in the chocolate chips and a handful of caramel baking bits that I had on hand. It was gone before I could blink an eye..lol Thank you for a fantastic and super easy recipe!!!!
Sounds delicious!! Thank you for sharing that!
COULD I USE REGULAR SIZE M&MS?
You sure could 🙂 Enjoy!
This great. These would not last long at my house!
They don’t last long at mine!
Are you sure the nutritional info is correct … calories & carbs Etc. sure looks high ??
Super easy super yummy
Thank you for sharing that 🙂
I read all the ingredients no where does it list chocolate chips. I quickly read how to make it. I went grocery shopping buying the ingredients I needed. It wasn’t until I started making the recipe that I saw chocolate chips were needed. I did have them in the house so I made them without the chocolate chips. This recipe is very easssy to make. It came out very moist and pretty to look at due to the M&M but its bland. The chocolate chips would have given it that extra flavor. I don’t know if there is a way to revise the recipe, if there is, you really should.
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I will add them 🙂 Thanks for catching it! You could add 1/2 to a cup. The more the merrier for me 🙂 Thanks again!
Mine turned out more cakey than chewy. Did I over bake them? Took them out at 25 minutes.
Were all your ingredients fresh? I know sometimes that can change the recipe.
Made these and same problem as other they rose really well then when cooled the edges are good but collapsed in the middle. Was it determine why? They are still really good and I’ll try again because they are so good
After reading some reviews where people had problems with these bars setting up, I was weary about making them, but I figured what the heck. I made them per directions, with the exception of the oil, I replaced that with the equal amount of melted butter. I used non-stick baking spray in my pan, and baked it for about 28 min, then allowed it to cool completely before cutting. They came out perfect, both in looks and taste. My grandson loves them, and my husband had one and had to be alone because he was having a moment lol.
Love hearing that! That is hilarious about your hubby! Thanks for sharing!
“TY” SO much for your post/tip on using BUTTER instead of oil! Made them for hubbs company picnic. They looked SO good, perfectly brown, looked like photo – Best part, SO EASY! ????
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SO happy to hear that! They’re always a hit when we make them and it sounds like they were a hit at your husband’s company picnic!
Could I use semi sweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate?
Of course you can 🙂 Enjoy!!
Thank you for sharing these! These are my family’s favorite cookie bar. Today I made cookie bars following your recipe using pumpkin cake mix, white chocolate pudding, 1C cinnamon chips, and 1/2C of white chocolate chips and they are AMAZING!!
That sounds amazing!! Thank you!!
Puedes traducirlo en español me gustaría serlo pero no entiendo lo que dice porfa
For those of you who said they didn’t turn out like the photos…check the color of your metal dish (dark vs light metal or glass) and use the appropriate oven temp according to the box. I did this twice using my glass dish. Once at 350 with average results, and once at 375- the higher setting on the box mix for shiny light aluminum and they came out perfect. good luck.
I made these today in a 10×15 jelly pan and they came out like yours!
Oh, I’m so glad they turned out!! Did you like them?
This looks good! Could make my Monday a lot nicer.
It could make any day better:) They are delicious!!
Was thinking about using a bit larger pan, that way the bars would be thinner. Have you tried that?
I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t work? If you try it, let me know what size pan you used and how they turned out:) I’d love to know!
I got the Duncan Hines cake mix. Do I still use the recipe you provided or do I follow the directions on the box? Thx!
That shouldn’t change anything. Just follow the recipe, using that:) Let me know if you try that!
Can I use any flavor of cake mixes. I have so many cake mixes to use up.
I’m sure you could!! I haven’t tried that, but I’m sure they’d taste fine. If you do that, let me know what you tried!! Thanks!
I am so excited to hear the surprise did you have fun playing with your dad and Micheal I hope so
Made this today to.take to my husband’s work Easter Party. Although they taste delicious they look nothing like yours. 🙁 Mine rose like a cake would rather than stay compacted like a “bar” should. I used a 9×13 metal pan.
Hoping to make this tomorrow !!! Do u make the pudding or just put in the pudding mix/powder ????
Just the mix. 😉
Ok, I made these tonight and they were a hit! One thing tho…they did not look like yours. I baked them for 26 minutes and the edges were golden, but the middle was jiggly and it looked just like a baked cake!
I like my cookies gooey, so I took a chance. I let them cool for about an hour and they finally collapsed but very wet in the middle. Like I said, I really like that and so did the kids. I think you could put m&ms on mashed turnips and kids would at least try them!
Don’t know what I would change to get them to bake a little more evenly??
Worth a try (so easy people!)
Hi Chalene! So glad you liked the bars, but I’m sorry they collapsed in the middle. The only thing I would suggest is baking them 3-5 minutes longer. What size of pan did you use?
Maybe collapsed is the wrong word. Flattened out may be better? I used a 9×13 glass pan. When I checked on it it looked like a cake. Risen to the top of the pan. Yours looked very flat like abat cookie should. I used a store brand cake mix which could’ve been the culprit? Màybe I shouldn’t add any water next time. I’ll try again soon and let you know!
Looks so yummy! These would not last long at my house!
Lily, I love your post and plan on making these really soon!
Thank you Lily for the nice recipe. Have fun this afternoon.