Description
These Soft & Chewy Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the ultimate shortcut dessert, transforming a simple box of cake mix into rich, dense blondies. Enhanced with instant pudding mix, they stay incredibly soft for days and are studded with colorful chocolate candies for a fun, festive treat. Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, or just a Tuesday night sweet craving, these bars come together in one bowl and bake up golden and delicious in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
The Batter Base
- 1 box (15.25 oz) Yellow or Butter flavor cake mix (dry, do not follow box instructions)
- 1 box (3.4 oz) Vanilla Instant Pudding mix (dry)
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
The Mix-ins
- 1 cup chocolate candy (M&Ms, chocolate chips, or chunks), plus extra for topping
Instructions
Prep
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Mix Batter
In a medium bowl, combine the dry cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water.
Stir
Mix by hand until the batter is smooth and combined. Note: The batter will be very thick and stiff; this is normal!
Add Mix-ins
Stir in the chocolate candy. Tip: Reserve about 1/4 cup of the candy to press onto the top later for a prettier presentation.
Spread
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Technique: Because the batter is sticky, spray your spatula or your hands with nonstick spray to help press it evenly into the corners.
Top
Sprinkle the reserved candy over the top.
Bake
Bake for 25 minutes.
Check
The edges should be barely golden brown. The center may still look slightly jiggly or underdone this is perfect. Do not overbake!
Cool
Let the bars cool completely in the pan. They will firm up and set as they cool. Slice into squares once room temperature.
Notes
The “Underbake” Rule: The secret to the chewy texture is pulling them out when they look slightly underdone in the middle. If you bake them until the center is firm, they will turn out dry and crumbly once cooled.
Pudding Type: Make sure you buy Instant pudding mix. Do not use “Cook & Serve,” as the starches work differently and won’t yield the same soft texture.
Sticky Batter Hack: If the batter is sticking to your spoon, lightly grease your hands with oil or cooking spray and press the dough into the pan manually.
Make Ahead: These bars actually taste better the next day as the moisture settles. They stay soft for 4–5 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar (assuming 24)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cake mix cookie bars, cake mix recipes, pudding cookies, easy blondies, m&m bars, potluck desserts, 4 ingredient dessert