Monster cookie bars with cake mix, chocolate chips, peanut butter, oats and more! Baked in a 9ร13 pan and sliced into squares you are going to love this easy boxed cake mix dessert.
Easy cake mix bar cookies are the bomb. It is a bit of a cheater way to bake โhomemadeโ when guests come over. If you have ever had a cowboy cookie these are kindaโ similar. Meaning you add ALL the add ins you want so there are surprises with every bite. (affiliate links present)
Easy Monster Cookie Bars Recipe
The only really big difference between these and cake mix crinkle cookies is that you slice them and there are more add-ins. They are a bit more tender too since you donโt get the crisp outer edges on each one. Especially the center pieces wonโt have any of that. Either that is a huge plus to you or if not then you might prefer cookies.
I guess I would say they are a cross between those and our cake mix brownies. Yes, if you can tell I am all about tweaking a boxed mix into something else entirely. Not to say that we donโt bake it as directed on the back every once and a while, but more than half the time we donโt. ๐
Ingredient Notes
- 1 box yellow cake mix is what we used, or white are usually best. You can try others like red velvet with a white chocolate chips combo
- Brown sugar will add more sweetness, just like homemade batter would need
- Butter at room temperature is ideal to cream everything together
- Smooth peanut butter is best, or any nut butter works
- 1 egg or egg substitute product
- 1.5 c quick oats will add some texture and fiber
- Mini chocolate chips or peanut butter chips to make chocolate chip cookie bars
- Small candies or chocolates like m&ms are great
- 4 tbsp water, vegetable oil or really any liquid will work with this, even Sprite
- Large bowl and rubber spatula to mix ingredients
Equipment Needed
And then a baking sheet is necessary. You can use a piece of parchment paper on the bottom or spray with cooking spray so they donโt stick. I like to only bake one cookie sheet at a time so they all come out with the same consistency.
Variations
Just like lemon bars with cake mix, you can really add what you love. If youโd prefer Reeses pieces to chocolate pieces then by all means use those. I would stick to our measurements and not omit the oats because that helps with the texture and keeping them together.
Just tweak the add ins if you use a flavored mix like chocolate cake or something. I think all of these would work well with that but for lemon I might use white chips, no peanut butter but maybe nuts would work better for that instead. Chocolate chunks are great in the Fall with our pumpkin bars with cake mix variation on this idea.
You can jump to recipe below and preheat your oven to get started on your cake mix cookie bar recipe but I suggest reading the tips below so they come out perfect.
Baking Tips
If you use two racks with one over the other the bottom one will get too done on the bottom for my liking. Just my opinion. Biggest thing is also making sure theyโre all the same size. I like using a small cookie scoop. A heaping Tbsp. works well too if you donโt have one of those handy and donโt want to buy one.
It is important to take note of the total cook time and stay close near the end. You do not want to bake this too long or it will dry out. I would rather have it a bit underdone than over. AND remember that when they are left in the pan when taken out they will continue to stiffen up with the heat of the pan.
How do you know when a cookie bar is done?
This is KEY when you are baking this or a pan full of cherry brownies. The texture is everything!! Set for the minimum bake time listed and then turn on the light. What you want is the outside edges to start cracking and firming up and the middle to be tender but not wet. If it looks like it is close use a toothpick.
Insert into the center and if it is still wet and liquidy, give it 5 more minutes and check again. However when you pull it out if it is clean but with very moist crumbs attached, pull it out. Do NOT slice it yet though.
Set it on a cooling rack until it is at room temperature. That gives it time to continue baking in the pan. Then it is will be perfect!! Want another treat? Try our lunch lady peanut butter bars with these! Use the same size pan and cut into squares without any need for baking with this one so you can make the night before.
Monster Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 1 9ร13 pan or 9ร12
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix, 15.25 oz
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 3/4 c butter, softened
- 1/2 c peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1.5 c quick oats
- 1/3 c mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 c m&ms
- 4 tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, egg, butter and peanut butter. Add oats and brown sugar, mix well. Gently fold in chocolate chips and M&Ms.
- Spread the dough into a prepared 9ร12 baking pan. (I used parchment paper for easier removal.) **If you would like thicker bars, you can use a smaller 9ร9 baking dish as well.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan, before slicing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
