If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and festive Easter dessert, these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are perfect! They’re chewy, buttery, and packed with chocolatey goodness from semi-sweet chocolate chips and colorful Easter M&Ms. The best part? They’re made using a simple cake mix, so you get delicious homemade bars with minimal effort.
Whether you’re baking for an Easter party, a family gathering, or just a fun treat for the kids, these cookie bars will be a crowd favorite. With a soft cookie texture, bursts of chocolate, and a colorful springtime look, they’re as pretty as they are delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Super Quick & Easy – Only 6 ingredients and no chilling required!
✔️ Soft, Chewy, and Loaded with Chocolate – The best of cookies and bars combined!
✔️ Perfect for Easter & Spring – Bright, festive, and perfectly themed for the season.
✔️ Made with Cake Mix – Cuts down on prep time while keeping the flavor amazing.
✔️ Great for Parties & Gifts – These bars travel well and make great edible gifts!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Easter M&M candies
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Baking Pan
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2️⃣ Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Dough
3️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4️⃣ Stir until a soft, thick dough forms. (It may seem dry at first, but keep mixing—it will come together!)
5️⃣ Fold in the Easter M&Ms and chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Press & Bake
6️⃣ Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. (Tip: Use a spatula or lightly greased hands to spread it out smoothly!)
7️⃣ Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Step 4: Cool & Slice
8️⃣ Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares. (This helps them set properly and makes for cleaner cuts!)
9️⃣ Serve and enjoy these festive, chewy, and chocolate-packed cookie bars!
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve:
- Serve at Easter brunch, dessert tables, or spring gatherings.
- Cut into smaller squares for a bite-sized party treat.
- Pair with milk, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!
How to Store:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week for a firmer texture.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Helpful Notes
- Use Different Cake Mix Flavors – Swap yellow cake mix for white, vanilla, or even funfetti for a new twist!
- Add Extra Crunch! – Mix in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed pretzels for extra texture.
- For a More Colorful Look – Press extra M&Ms on top before baking for a brighter, more festive finish.
- Use a Different Chocolate – Try white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or peanut butter chips for a fun variation!
- Make It a Cookie Cake! – Instead of cutting into bars, bake the dough in a round pan for a festive Easter cookie cake.
frequently asked questions
1. Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Yes! You can use white, funfetti, chocolate, or even strawberry cake mix for different flavors.
2. What if my dough is too sticky?
If the dough is too sticky to press into the pan, lightly grease your hands or spatula with cooking spray.
3. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! These bars stay fresh for up to 5 days, making them a great make-ahead dessert.
4. How do I get clean, even slices?
Let the bars cool completely before cutting, and use a sharp knife for the cleanest cuts.
5. Can I add frosting or glaze?
Absolutely! A light drizzle of vanilla glaze or a spread of cream cheese frosting would be delicious.
Final Thoughts
These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are everything you love about cookies, but in bar form! They’re chewy, buttery, and filled with chocolate and colorful M&Ms, making them the ultimate Easter treat.
Since they’re made with a simple cake mix, they come together super fast and require minimal ingredients. Whether you’re a beginner baker or looking for a quick, foolproof dessert, these bars never fail to impress.
So grab a box of cake mix, some Easter M&Ms, and your baking pan, and make a batch of these easy, festive cookie bars today!
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix 15.25 oz
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Easter M&M candies
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Baking Pan
- 1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2️⃣ Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Dough
- 3️⃣ In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- 4️⃣ Stir until a soft, thick dough forms. (It may seem dry at first, but keep mixing—it will come together!)
- 5️⃣ Fold in the Easter M&Ms and chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Press & Bake
- 6️⃣ Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. (Tip: Use a spatula or lightly greased hands to spread it out smoothly!)
- 7️⃣ Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Step 4: Cool & Slice
- 8️⃣ Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares. (This helps them set properly and makes for cleaner cuts!)
- 9️⃣ Serve and enjoy these festive, chewy, and chocolate-packed cookie bars!
Notes
- Use Different Cake Mix Flavors – Swap yellow cake mix for white, vanilla, or even funfetti for a new twist!
- Add Extra Crunch! – Mix in chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or crushed pretzels for extra texture.
- For a More Colorful Look – Press extra M&Ms on top before baking for a brighter, more festive finish.
- Use a Different Chocolate – Try white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or peanut butter chips for a fun variation!
- Make It a Cookie Cake! – Instead of cutting into bars, bake the dough in a round pan for a festive Easter cookie cake.
