Description
These Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful and easy-to-make treat combining yellow cake mix and instant vanilla pudding for a moist texture. Loaded with milk chocolate chips and festive holiday M&M’s, these bars bake quickly to golden edges and offer a perfect balance of chewy and soft in every bite—ideal for holiday gatherings or any sweet craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker recommended)
- 1 box (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup holiday M&M’s
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cookie bars.
- Mix the Batter: In a large bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, instant vanilla pudding mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend all the ingredients thoroughly until the batter is thick and smooth. Then gently fold in the milk chocolate chips and holiday M&M’s to evenly distribute the mix-ins without overworking the batter.
- Spread and Bake: Evenly spread the thick batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 24 to 26 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking dish carefully from the oven. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly, which will make slicing easier. Once cooled, cut into 12 bars and serve. Enjoy your festive and chewy cookie bars!
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Feel free to swap holiday M&M’s with any other candy or nuts to customize the bars.
- Ensure the bars cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and pudding mix.
