This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
More Like This
Bar Recipes
Cake Mix Recipes
Collections
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
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.
Video
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.
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.
.
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! ????
IMG_6996.JPG
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!!