Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars: Your Easiest Dessert Yet!
Prepare to be amazed by the sheer simplicity and mouth-watering deliciousness of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars! If you’re searching for a quick, hassle-free dessert that tastes utterly homemade, your quest ends here. These bars are a true game-changer, combining the classic flavors of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter in a soft, chewy cookie bar format, all while leveraging the convenience of a humble cake mix.
Whether you need a quick after-school snack, a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution, or a simple sweet treat to satisfy your cravings, these cookie bars hit all the right notes. They’re so easy to whip up, requiring just a few staple ingredients and minimal effort, making them perfect for busy bakers or anyone new to the kitchen. Get ready to bake a batch of pure joy!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Cookie Bars
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars aren’t just easy; they’re packed with reasons to become your new favorite dessert. Here’s what makes them so special:
- Effortless Preparation: Starting with a cake mix dramatically cuts down on prep time. No need to measure multiple dry ingredients—the mix does the hard work for you.
- Classic Flavor Duo: Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. This recipe perfectly balances their rich, sweet, and slightly salty notes in every bite.
- Perfect Texture: Expect a wonderfully soft and chewy bar that’s reminiscent of your favorite cookie, but in a convenient sliceable form.
- Versatile & Customizable: While delicious as is, these bars are a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Add different kinds of chips, nuts, or even a swirl of jam!
- Crowd-Pleaser: From kids to adults, everyone loves these bars. They’re ideal for parties, bake sales, family gatherings, or just a cozy night in.
- Pantry Friendly: You likely have most of the ingredients on hand, making them a go-to recipe for last-minute dessert emergencies.
The Magic of a Cake Mix in Baking
If you’re new to the world of cake mix hacks, prepare to have your mind blown! Cake mixes are incredibly versatile and can be adapted into a vast array of delicious treats beyond just cakes. They provide a consistent base, ensuring reliable results every time, which is perfect for busy bakers or those who appreciate simplicity.
We’re big fans of experimenting with cake mixes to create new and exciting recipes. From cookies and muffins to breads and bars, a simple boxed cake mix can transform into something truly extraordinary with just a few additional ingredients. If you enjoy the ease of this recipe, you’ll love exploring other creative ways to use cake mixes. For more inspiration, check out our extensive collection of 40+ Cake Mix Recipes!
You might be surprised at the delicious array of desserts and baked goods you can create with this convenient pantry staple. It’s a fantastic way to streamline your baking process without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Ingredients for Your Delicious Cookie Bars
One of the best aspects of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars is the minimal ingredient list. You only need a handful of items to create this decadent treat:
- Yellow Cake Mix: The foundation of our cookie bars. A standard 15.25 oz box will do the trick. The yellow flavor provides a lovely, subtle vanilla base. For specific recommendations, consider a trusted brand like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker, easily found at any grocery store or through online retailers like Amazon.
- Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients together and providing structure to the bars, ensuring they are moist and chewy.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and helps achieve that desirable tender crumb texture. You can typically find high-quality vegetable oil at your local supermarket or online.
- Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Whether you prefer the smooth creaminess of classic peanut butter or the added crunch of chunky, choose your favorite. Both work beautifully in this recipe, offering that distinctive nutty flavor. Explore more peanut butter recipes for inspiration. For online shopping, consider options like this.
- Chocolate Chips: What’s a chocolate peanut butter bar without chocolate chips? Semi-sweet chips are a popular choice, but feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for an extra boost of flavor. Quality chocolate chips can be found here.
Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step towards baking success!
Pro Tips for Baking Perfect Cookie Bars
Even with an incredibly easy recipe like this, a few simple tips can elevate your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars from good to absolutely amazing:
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the ingredients are just combined, stop mixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour (even in a cake mix), leading to tough, rather than tender, cookie bars.
- Line Your Pan with Parchment Paper: This is a game-changer for easy removal and clean-up. Leave an overhang on the sides so you can easily lift the entire slab of cooled bars out of the pan before cutting.
- Press Evenly into the Pan: Ensure the dough is spread in an even layer across the 9×13 inch pan. This promotes even baking, so all your bars are perfectly cooked.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookie bars can go from perfectly golden to dry very quickly. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the baking time (around 14 minutes). The edges should be lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Remember, they will continue to set as they cool.
- Allow to Cool Completely: This is crucial! While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, cooling allows the bars to firm up and makes them much easier to cut into neat squares. Warm bars tend to crumble.
- Ingredient Temperature: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature. This helps them incorporate more smoothly into the batter, leading to a more consistent dough.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the joys of baking with cake mix is how easily you can customize recipes. Here are some delightful variations to make these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars uniquely yours:
- Different Cake Mix Flavors: While yellow cake mix is classic, try a chocolate fudge cake mix for an extra intense chocolate experience, or a vanilla cake mix for a lighter base. Strawberry cake mix could offer a fun, fruity twist!
- Nut Butter Alternatives: If peanut butter isn’t your preference or you have allergies, consider using almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter (SunButter) for a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor profile.
- Chocolate Chip Combinations: Mix it up! Use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, or even a blend of different types. Peanut butter chips can be added for an even more pronounced peanut butter flavor.
- Add-Ins: Get creative with additional mix-ins!
- Nuts: Chopped peanuts, walnuts, or pecans can add extra crunch.
- Candy: M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, or chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups can turn these into a truly indulgent treat.
- Pretzels: Crushed pretzels folded into the dough can introduce a wonderful salty crunch that perfectly complements the sweet flavors.
- Sprinkles: Add a festive touch by folding in some colorful sprinkles, especially for holidays or birthdays.
- Toppings: Once baked and cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate, a simple glaze, or sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt for a sophisticated finish.
Feel free to experiment with these ideas to discover your new favorite version of these fantastic cookie bars!
Serving & Storage Suggestions
Once your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are cooled and cut, they’re ready to enjoy! Here are some ideas for serving and keeping them fresh:
- Serving Ideas:
- Classic: Simply enjoy them as is, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk.
- A La Mode: Warm a bar slightly and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a decadent dessert.
- Coffee Break: They pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat.
- Party Treat: Arrange them on a platter for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. They’re always a hit!
- Storage:
- Room Temperature: Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Refrigeration: For a slightly firmer texture and extended freshness, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: These cookie bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave for a quick treat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use a different size baking pan?
- A 9×13 inch pan is ideal for this recipe, yielding bars with a perfect thickness. If you use a smaller pan, the bars will be thicker and require a longer baking time. If you use a larger pan, they will be thinner and bake faster, so adjust baking time accordingly and keep a close eye on them.
- Can I substitute butter for vegetable oil?
- Yes, you can use melted butter instead of vegetable oil for a richer, buttery flavor. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
- Do I have to use a yellow cake mix?
- While a yellow cake mix provides a classic flavor, feel free to experiment with other cake mix flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or even marble for a unique twist.
- Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?
- To make these gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free yellow cake mix. All other ingredients are typically gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
- How do I get clean cuts?
- For the cleanest cuts, ensure the bars are completely cooled. You can even chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour before slicing. Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts.
More Easy Dessert Inspiration
If you loved the simplicity and deliciousness of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, you’re in for a treat! We specialize in quick and easy recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort. Don’t miss out on our other fantastic creations:
- Lemon Cake Mix Cookies: Bright, zesty, and incredibly soft!
- Cake Mix Banana Bread: A moist and flavorful twist on a classic comfort food.
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins: Perfect for fall, with minimal ingredients.
- Lemon Cheesecake Bars: Tangy and creamy, a delightful dessert.
- Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake: A homemade version of a restaurant favorite.
What are your favorite quick and easy recipes to make, especially with a cake mix? We would absolutely love to hear about them in the comments below!
And for more sweet treats, be sure to explore all of our quick and easy cookies.
Do you love discovering new recipes? Check out our expansive collection of copycat recipes, a wide array of delightful dessert recipes, and our convenient Crock Pot Recipes for effortless meal prep.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
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Rate
10 minutes
14 minutes
24 minutes
16
270
kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
- 1 yellow cake mix
- 2 Eggs
- ⅓ Cup Vegetable Oil
- ½ Cup peanut butter chunky or creamy depending on what you like
- 1 Cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until all ingredients are just incorporated and a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently stir in the peanut butter until it is mostly combined throughout the dough, creating delicious swirls. Then, fold in the chocolate chips.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan. You can use your hands (lightly greased if sticky) or the back of a spoon to spread it out.
- Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake to ensure soft, chewy bars. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting and serving. This step is crucial for the bars to set properly and maintain their shape.
Kitchen Tools
- 9X13 Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Hand Mixer (or large mixing bowl and spatula)
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 117
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Recipe originally shared on November 13, 2015. Updated and enhanced October 2020.