Easy Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Short Description

Easy Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect no-fuss dessert, combining the simplicity of cake mix with the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate chip cookies. These soft and chewy bars come together quickly and are ideal for casual gatherings, bake sales, or anytime you need a sweet treat with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless Preparation: Just a few pantry ingredients and no fancy techniques required.

• Perfect Texture: Dense, chewy, and studded with plenty of melty chocolate chips.

• Customizable: Add nuts, candies, or flavored chips for your own twist.

• Great for a Crowd: Makes up to 16 bars, perfect for sharing.

• Kid-Friendly: Simple enough for kids to help with and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 1 box yellow cake mix (about 15–18 oz; Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker recommended)

• ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (or mini chips for more even distribution)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish using nonstick cooking spray (preferably one with flour, such as Baker’s Joy).

2. Mix Batter:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, and beaten eggs. Use an electric mixer or stand mixer to blend the mixture until thick and uniform. The batter will be dense.

3. Add Chocolate Chips:
   Stir in the chocolate chips by hand until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

4. Spread into Pan:
   Since the batter is very thick, lightly spray your hands with nonstick spray and press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.

5. Bake:
   Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges begin to pull slightly away from the sides of the dish.

6. Cool and Slice:
   Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares. This ensures they set properly and makes for cleaner cuts.

7. Serve and Enjoy:
   These bars taste great warm or at room temperature.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12–16 bars

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20–25 minutes

• Total Time: 30–35 minutes

Variations

• Nutty Crunch: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture.

• Candy Bar Style: Mix in M&M’s or chopped peanut butter cups with the chocolate chips.

• Seasonal Flair: Use white chocolate chips and dried cranberries for a holiday version.

• Gluten-Free: Substitute with a gluten-free yellow cake mix and check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Extra Chewy: Swap half the chocolate chips for toffee bits.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

• Freezing: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

• Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a gooey texture.

FAQs

Can I use other cake mix flavors?

Yes, vanilla or chocolate cake mix also works well, but yellow cake mix provides a classic cookie bar flavor.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling required—these bars are designed to be quick and easy.

Can I use unsalted butter instead?

Yes, if using unsalted butter, consider adding a pinch of salt to the batter for balance.

Can I make these in a smaller pan?

Yes, but adjust the baking time as a smaller pan may result in thicker bars that take longer to cook through.

What if I don’t have a mixer?

No problem—this recipe can be mixed by hand with a sturdy spoon; it just takes a bit more effort.

Can I use milk chocolate chips instead?

Absolutely. Milk, dark, white, or even flavored chips like butterscotch all work well.

How do I know they’re done baking?

Look for a golden-brown top and edges that begin pulling away from the pan; the center should be set but still soft.

Should I line the pan with parchment paper?

You can, but it’s not necessary if you’re using a nonstick spray with flour.

Can these be made egg-free?

Try substituting each egg with a flax egg or store-bought egg replacer; results may vary slightly.

Are these bars chewy or cakey?

They are more chewy than cakey thanks to the ratio of butter and eggs to cake mix.

Conclusion

Easy Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the go-to treat when you need something sweet, quick, and utterly delicious. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, they’re perfect for bake sales, after-school snacks, or just indulging in a cozy night at home. Keep this recipe on hand for those times when only a warm, chocolatey bar will do.

Easy Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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• Author: Olivia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Makes 12–16 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Easy Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are made with just a few pantry staples and come together in minutes! Perfectly soft, buttery, and loaded with chocolate chips – the ultimate low-effort, high-reward dessert.

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Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15-18 oz; Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker recommended)

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (or mini chips for more even distribution)

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Instructions

• Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray (Baker’s Joy or similar with flour works best).

• Mix batter: In a large bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, and eggs using an electric or stand mixer until thick and uniform. The batter will be dense.

• Add chocolate chips: Fold in the chocolate chips by hand until evenly incorporated.

• Spread into pan: Lightly spray hands with nonstick spray and press the dough evenly into the prepared dish.

• Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges begin to pull away from the pan.

• Cool and slice: Let cool completely before cutting for clean, firm bars.

• Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature. Pairs well with a cold glass of milk!

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Notes

• Use mini chocolate chips for more even chocolate distribution.

• Add nuts, toffee bits, or swirl with Nutella for variations.

• Bars can be frozen for up to 2 months.