Easy Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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The thing I love about this super easy cookie bar recipe is how easy it is to make and how versatile they are. It doesn’t matter if it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July, or Gameday; you can serve them at all of them, and people will love them. They are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that makes it look like you’ve gone to a lot more trouble than you actually have, as there are only 10 minutes of prep time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars with Step-By-Step Instructions

A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grab a 9×13 baking pan and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. This will ensure nothing sticks and that cleanup is a breeze.

Mix the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water. Stir everything together until smooth and free of lumps. For the best results, you want a nice, even batter.

Add Chocolate Chips

Fold in ¾ cup of chocolate chips into the batter. This will make every bite extra delicious.

Prepare the Pan

Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top for that extra touch of chocolatey goodness. You can never have too much chocolate, right?

Bake

Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for about 24 minutes. Here’s a little tip: check the bars by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out just barely gooey. This means they’re done but still deliciously soft. Remember, they’ll continue to cook a bit even after you take them out of the oven.

Cool

When you pull the pan from the oven, let the bars cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes. This is important because it helps them set and makes them easier to slice without falling apart.

Serve

Once they’ve cooled down a bit, slice the bars into squares, serve, and enjoy! Whether you’re having them as a dessert or a snack, these bars will be a hit.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are my top tips to make sure your cookie bars turn out perfect each time.

• Check Your Cake Mix Size: Ensure your cake mix is 15.25 ounces. This recipe works best with this size.
• Avoid Too Many Chocolate Chips: Adding too many chocolate chips can make the bars fall apart, even after resting. They’ll be gooey and delicious, but a bit messy!
• Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the chocolate chips. This keeps the batter light and fluffy.
• Spread the Batter Evenly: This ensures that your bars bake uniformly. No one wants one side too crispy and the other too soft!
• Toothpick Test: Don’t wait for the toothpick to come out clean. Slightly gooey means they’re just right. They’ll firm up as they cool, staying deliciously soft.
• Bake in a Smaller Pan: If using a smaller pan, lower the oven temperature to 325°F and bake a bit longer. This will result in thicker bars.
• Cool Completely: Patience is key here. Letting the bars cool in the pan helps them set properly, making them easier to slice without falling apart.
• Extra Chocolate Chips: For an extra touch of chocolatey goodness, sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top before baking. It’s the little things that make these bars irresistible.
• Embrace the Softness: These bars will be softer than cookies, which is part of their charm. Enjoy the unique texture!

How to Store Leftover Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

You can store these cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you prefer them firmer, store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

They also freeze well—just wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to indulge, simply thaw at room temperature.