Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
If sweet, colorful, and delightfully simple holiday baking is your thing, the Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars deserve a place at the top of your must-try list. These irresistible bars combine soft, chewy cookie goodness with pops of pastel candies and festive sprinkles, all starting from a humble box of cake mix. They’re perfect for celebrating spring or whenever you need a dessert that’s both crowd-pleasing and fuss-free. Whether you’re inviting friends over for an Easter brunch or just want a cheerful treat to munch on, these bars hit all the right notes—every bite brings a smile!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how a handful of pantry staples can transform into such a show-stopping treat. Each ingredient brings its own charm, from rich texture to pretty pops of color, creating Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars that are as lovely to look at as they are delicious.
- Yellow Cake Mix: The ultimate shortcut, providing a soft, moist base with classic vanilla flavor.
- Unsalted Butter, Melted: Adds decadence and richness, making the bars perfectly tender.
- Large Eggs: Binds everything together for that signature cookie bar chew.
- Pastel M&Ms: Bring in bold, beautiful Easter hues and little bursts of chocolate in each bite.
- White Chocolate Chips: Creamy sweetness that melts into gooey pockets throughout the bars.
- Pastel Sprinkles: The finishing festive touch—use your favorite Easter or spring-inspired mix for maximum color and fun.
How to Make Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal later. This little step makes all the difference when it comes to neat, clean slices and zero sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted unsalted butter, and eggs. Stir everything together until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms. Don’t overmix—the goal is just to bring everything together for a pleasantly chewy texture.
Step 3: Fold in the Goodies
Time for the fun part. Gently fold in your pastel M&Ms, white chocolate chips, and those dreamy pastel sprinkles. Make sure your mix-ins are evenly distributed so every bite of the Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars bursts with color and flavor.
Step 4: Press and Bake
Transfer the dough into your prepared pan and press it out evenly so it reaches every corner. Bake for 20–25 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden. If you love chewier bars, take them out closer to the 20-minute mark—they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
Patience is key here! Let your cookie bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out with the parchment. Slice them into squares or rectangles, ready to serve up a platter full of pastel perfection.
How to Serve Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A little something extra goes a long way. Sprinkle a few more pastel M&Ms or sprinkles on top right after baking for an extra-colorful finish. You can even drizzle some melted white chocolate in zigzag patterns for a bakery-worthy touch.
Side Dishes
Serve your Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars with fresh strawberries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or alongside a mug of pastel-hued milk. These soft, sweet bars are a natural match for creamy desserts, berries, or even a hot cup of coffee for the grown-ups.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling inspired? Arrange the bars on a tiered cake stand, tuck them into cute Easter baskets, or wrap individual squares in pastel tissue and cellophane as festive party favors. For a holiday brunch, stack them into a “cake” and crown with jelly beans or edible flowers for a show-stopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars (if you manage to have any!) can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Their texture even improves as they rest, becoming even more flavorful with time.
Freezing
These bars freeze like a dream. Simply wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature whenever you need an instant spring treat.
Reheating
If you love your cookie bars a little warm and gooey, just zap a bar in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The white chocolate softens, and the whole bar tastes oven-fresh again—perfect for pairing with cold milk or ice cream.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix adds a classic vanilla sweetness, you can swap it for funfetti, white, or even strawberry cake mix for a twist. Just keep the other ingredients the same for Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars with a new flavor profile.
Are the bars chewy or cakey?
These bars strike a perfect balance—they’re denser and chewier than regular cake but still soft and tender thanks to the butter and eggs. Slightly underbaking guarantees that coveted, chewy cookie bar texture.
Can I use different candies or mix-ins?
Get creative! Substitute or add chopped chocolate, peanut butter chips, or other colorful candies to make the recipe your own. The Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are endlessly adaptable, so use up whatever festive treats you have on hand.
How can I make these gluten-free?
For gluten-free Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, simply substitute a gluten-free yellow cake mix in the same quantity. Double-check your candies and sprinkles to make sure they’re gluten-free, and you’re all set!
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling required! The dough is thick enough to press right into the pan and hold its shape. This means you can go from mixing bowl to oven in minutes—a big win when you need a quick holiday treat.
Final Thoughts
Give these Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars a try the next time you’re craving a fuss-free, festive dessert with big wow-factor and even bigger flavor. There’s something about those buttery, sprinkle-filled bars that just brightens up any day—so treat yourself and share the joy this season!
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Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful treat perfect for the holiday season. With a base of yellow cake mix, these bars are loaded with pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and colorful sprinkles, making them a festive and fun dessert for Easter gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake Mix Cookie Bars:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pastel M&M’s
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup sprinkles (Easter or pastel colors)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until a thick dough forms. Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
- Press and Bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.
- Cool and Cut: Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, slightly underbake the bars and allow them to set as they cool.
- These bars can also be made with funfetti or white cake mix for a lighter color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
