Description
These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the perfect easy dessert to celebrate the spring season. Combining the convenience of a cake mix with the fun of M&Ms and chocolate chips, these bars are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort. They’re soft, chewy, and bursting with festive colors, making them a hit with kids and adults alike. Whether you’re hosting an Easter brunch, need a quick treat for a school bake sale, or simply want a fun weekend baking project, these bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Plus, the customizable nature of the recipe means you can easily adapt it to your preferences by swapping out candies or adding different mix-ins. Forget complicated recipes and hours in the kitchen; these bars are all about quick, easy, and delicious Easter fun!
Why you will love this recipe
You’ll absolutely love this recipe for several reasons:
- Simplicity: It’s unbelievably easy to make, perfect for beginner bakers or those short on time. The use of a cake mix cuts down on ingredient measuring and mixing, making the process quick and foolproof.
- Taste and Texture: The bars are soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. The combination of the cake mix base, the sweetness of the M&Ms, and the richness of the chocolate chips creates a delightful texture and taste experience.
- Festive and Colorful: The Easter M&Ms add a vibrant touch to the bars, making them visually appealing and perfect for the holiday. They bring a sense of fun and celebration to any table.
- Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking. Swap the Easter M&Ms for other candies, add nuts, or experiment with different types of chocolate chips. The possibilities are endless!
- Kid-Friendly: Kids will love helping to make these bars, and they’ll certainly enjoy eating them even more. It’s a great way to get them involved in the kitchen and create lasting memories.
- Convenient: These bars are easy to transport and serve, making them ideal for potlucks, picnics, or school events. They hold their shape well and don’t require any special handling.
- Time-Saving: From start to finish, these bars can be ready in under an hour, making them a perfect choice when you need a quick dessert solution.
- Guaranteed Success: Because the recipe is so simple and forgiving, it’s almost impossible to mess up. You can confidently bake these bars knowing they’ll turn out delicious every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Easter M&M candies
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan:
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). This is crucial for ensuring the bars bake evenly. While the oven is preheating, prepare your 9×13 inch baking dish. Lightly grease the dish with non-stick cooking spray. This step is very important, as it prevents the bars from sticking to the pan and makes them easier to remove once they’re baked and cooled. Be thorough in your greasing, making sure to cover all the corners and sides of the dish. For an extra layer of protection against sticking, you can also line the bottom of the dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to use as handles for easy removal.
Step 2: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon to mix these ingredients together. Start at a low speed to prevent the cake mix from flying everywhere, then gradually increase the speed as the ingredients begin to incorporate. Mix until the batter is smooth and well-combined, ensuring there are no dry pockets of cake mix remaining. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in tough bars. Just mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
Step 3: Fold in the Candies and Chocolate Chips:
Now it’s time to add the fun stuff! Gently fold in the Easter M&M candies and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Folding is a gentle mixing technique that helps to distribute the candies and chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter without deflating it. Use a spatula or a large spoon to gently combine the mix-ins, being careful not to crush the M&Ms. Distribute them evenly throughout the batter, ensuring every bite will be packed with deliciousness.
Step 4: Spread the Batter into the Prepared Dish:
Pour the cookie bar batter into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the dish. Make sure the batter reaches all the corners and edges of the pan so that the bars bake uniformly. If the batter is sticky, you can lightly dampen the spatula with water or cooking spray to prevent it from sticking. Aim for an even layer to ensure the bars bake properly and have a consistent thickness.
Step 5: Bake and Cool:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep a close eye on the bars as they bake. They are done when the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake the bars, as this can make them dry. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving. Allowing them to cool completely prevents them from crumbling when you cut them and helps the flavors meld together. If you’re in a hurry, you can place the pan in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.
COOKING Rating:
Easy
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve the bars at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
- Pair them with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-indulgent treat.
- Arrange the bars on a platter for a festive Easter dessert display.
- Cut the bars into smaller squares for a bite-sized treat.
- Drizzle the bars with melted white chocolate for added sweetness and visual appeal.
Tips:
- For extra soft bars, slightly underbake them. They will continue to cook as they cool.
- If you don’t have Easter M&Ms, you can use regular M&Ms or any other type of candy.
- Add a pinch of salt to the batter to enhance the flavors.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- To prevent the M&Ms from melting too much during baking, chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before placing it in the oven.
- If you want a thicker bar, use an 8×8 inch pan instead of a 9×13 inch pan; you’ll likely need to extend the baking time by a few minutes.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20-25 minutes
Total Time:
30-35 minutes
Nutritional Information:
(Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving size.)
- Calories: Approximately 200-250 per bar
- Protein: Approximately 2-3 grams per bar
- Sodium: Approximately 100-150 mg per bar
Conclusion
These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful treat that’s perfect for any Easter celebration or casual gathering. Their simplicity, combined with their festive flavors and vibrant colors, makes them a surefire hit. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is easy enough for anyone to master. The customizable nature of the recipe allows you to experiment with different mix-ins and variations to suit your taste preferences. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy these delicious and fun Easter-themed cookie bars! They are a great way to bring a bit of sweetness and joy to your day. Happy baking!
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I substitute the vegetable oil with something else?
A: Absolutely! You can substitute the vegetable oil with melted butter or coconut oil for a slightly different flavor and texture. Melted butter will add a richer, more buttery taste, while coconut oil will impart a subtle coconut flavor. Just be sure to use the same amount (⅓ cup) of your chosen substitute. Keep in mind that using melted butter may result in a slightly chewier texture, while coconut oil can make the bars a bit more moist. If using coconut oil, ensure it’s completely melted but not too hot before mixing it into the batter.
Q2: Can I use a different type of cake mix?
A: Yes, you can definitely experiment with different types of cake mix. While the recipe calls for yellow cake mix, you can try vanilla, white, or even chocolate cake mix for a different flavor profile. A lemon cake mix would also be a wonderful choice, adding a tangy twist to the bars. Each cake mix will contribute a slightly different taste and texture to the final product, so it’s a great way to customize the recipe to your liking. Just ensure that you use a standard 15.25 oz box of cake mix for best results.
Q3: What if I don’t have M&Ms? Can I use something else?
A: Of course! If you don’t have M&Ms on hand, there are plenty of other mix-ins you can use. Other types of chocolate candies, like chopped-up chocolate bars or Reese’s Pieces, would work well. You can also use nuts, such as chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds, for added crunch and flavor. Dried fruits, like raisins or cranberries, can also be a delicious addition. Feel free to get creative and use whatever you have in your pantry. The key is to use about 1 cup of whatever mix-ins you choose, so the bars have a good balance of texture and flavor.
Q4: How do I prevent the M&Ms from melting in the oven?
A: To minimize the melting of M&Ms during baking, there are a couple of tricks you can try. First, you can chill the dough for about 15-20 minutes before placing it in the oven. The cold dough will help the M&Ms retain their shape better. Another tip is to gently press some of the M&Ms into the surface of the batter after you’ve spread it in the baking dish. This will help them stay in place and prevent them from sinking into the batter. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate and avoid overbaking the bars.
Q5: Can I freeze these cookie bars for later?
A: Yes, these cookie bars freeze beautifully! Once the bars have cooled completely, cut them into individual squares. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container. You can store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the bars at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. They’ll taste just as fresh and delicious as the day you baked them. Freezing is a great way to make these bars ahead of time for a party or to have a sweet treat on hand whenever you need it.
