Quick & Festive Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe

Whipping up some delightful easter cake mix cookie bars promises an effortless sweet adventure that will make everyone smile.

Soft and chewy textures combine with festive pastel sprinkles for a quick dessert.

Kids absolutely adore helping craft these colorful treats in the kitchen.

Simple ingredients come together faster than traditional baking methods, creating a stress-free experience.

Colorful candy pieces scattered throughout add extra bursts of fun and flavor.

Delicate crumbles and rich cake mix base ensure each bite feels indulgent and special.

You won’t believe how simple yet impressive these bars can be for any springtime celebration.

Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars That Celebrate Spring

• Boost Festive Cheer: Capture the Easter spirit with colorful M&Ms scattered throughout these delightful cookie bars, perfect for celebrating the holiday with family and friends.
• Simplify Baking Magic: Leverage a cake mix base for a no-fuss dessert that transforms into deliciously soft, chewy bars with minimal preparation and maximum flavor.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Create a sweet treat that children will love decorating and devouring, making it an ideal activity for family bonding and creating lasting memories.
• Quick Dessert Solution: Prepare a crowd-pleasing dessert in under 30 minutes, ideal for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous sweet cravings.

Ingredients for Festive Cake Mix Cookie Bars

• Cake Mix: The foundation of the cookie bars, providing sweetness and structure.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the dough.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a soft and tender texture in the cookie bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, rich flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Easter M&Ms, Chocolate Chips: Colorful candies and chocolate that create festive bursts of sweetness and texture throughout the bars.

• Parchment Paper, Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and makes removal of the bars easy and clean.

How to Bake Easy and Delicious Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking pan and either spray it with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

• Cake mix
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Stir everything together until a soft, smooth dough forms.

Step 3: Add Festive Goodies

Gently fold in colorful Easter candies and chocolate chips throughout the dough.

Make sure the mix-ins are evenly distributed for maximum deliciousness.

Step 4: Spread Dough in Pan

Use a spatula or your hands to press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Smooth out the top to ensure uniform baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Look for golden brown edges and a set center as your doneness indicators.

Step 6: Cool and Slice

Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely.

Once cooled, slice into squares and serve up these springtime treats.

Tips to Get Perfect Texture in Cookie Bars

• Add an extra egg yolk for richer, chewier bars that melt in your mouth.
• Swap vanilla extract with almond extract for a more complex, nutty undertone.
• Line the pan with parchment paper that overhangs on two sides for easy bar removal.
• Use half milk chocolate and half dark chocolate chips to balance the overall sweetness.
• Mix in pastel-colored sprinkles or crushed candy eggs for extra festive Easter flair.

Variations to Customize Your Cookie Bars

• Spring Pastel Bars: Replace Easter M&Ms with pastel-colored white chocolate chips and sprinkle rainbow nonpareils for a soft, dreamy look.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free yellow cake mix and use certified gluten-free chocolate chips for sensitive dietary needs.
• Cream Cheese Swirl: Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, then create beautiful swirls across the cookie bar surface before baking for extra richness.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Add chopped pecans or sliced almonds for extra texture and sprinkle sea salt on top to enhance the sweet-salty balance.

Pairings That Work Well with Cookie Bars

• Elevate Easter Flavor Companions: Pair these sweet bars with creamy vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful contrast.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Brew a light, cold lavender lemonade that complements the chocolate and candy sweetness perfectly.
• Texture-Enhancing Side: Add a scoop of whipped cream with pastel sprinkles to echo the festive Easter theme and provide extra indulgence.
• Palate-Cleansing Option: Serve alongside a crisp mint tea that cuts through the richness and refreshes the taste buds.

Proper Storage to Keep Cookie Bars Fresh

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each layer separately with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Place bars in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture and softness.

Warm individual bars for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and avoid overheating to prevent dryness.

FAQs

• Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can substitute the cake mix with any flavor you like. White, yellow, or funfetti cake mixes work great for this recipe.

• Do I need to refrigerate the M&Ms before adding them to the dough?

No, you can add the M&Ms directly from the package. Chilling isn’t necessary for this recipe.

• How do I know when the bars are fully baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a set center. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean with just a few crumbs.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free cake mix and ensure your chocolate chips and M&Ms are gluten-free certified.

Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent Easter cake mix cookie bars blend festive springtime flavors with classic bakery sweetness. Colorful sprinkles and creamy texture make these simple treats perfect for family gatherings and seasonal celebrations you’ll love sharing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces / 432 grams)
• 1 cup Easter M&M candies
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Liquid Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 350F (175C) and ready a 9×13-inch baking pan by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
2. Combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl, stirring until a cohesive soft dough develops.
3. Gently incorporate Easter M&Ms and chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, using clean hands or a spatula to spread it uniformly across the surface.
5. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a set center.
6. Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely at room temperature.
7. Once cooled, slice into rectangular bars of desired size, creating a festive Easter-themed dessert perfect for sharing.

Notes

• Swap cake mix for gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions and create an inclusive treat.
• Adjust baking time by 2-3 minutes if using a dark or glass pan to prevent over-browning and ensure even cooking.
• Chill dough for 15 minutes before pressing into pan for cleaner edges and more uniform bar texture.
• Experiment with seasonal candies like Cadbury Mini Eggs or pastel sprinkles to customize for different celebrations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 204 kcal
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 151 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 23 mg