Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, Easy Easter Dessert

If you love soft, chewy, and colorful treats, Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for your holiday celebrations. These cookie bars are made with cake mix, which makes them incredibly easy to prepare while still delivering a homemade taste. They are packed with festive colors, delicious flavors, and a chewy texture that makes them a favorite for kids and adults alike.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know to make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, including key ingredients and their roles, preparation time, a detailed step-by-step guide, expert tips, presentation ideas, creative twists, a pro tip for customization, and answers to frequently asked questions. Let’s get started!

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

To make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, you only need a few simple ingredients. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the perfect texture and flavor.

1. Cake Mix

Cake mix is the base of this recipe. It contains flour, sugar, and leavening agents, making it a convenient shortcut for creating soft and chewy cookie bars.

Role: Provides structure, flavor, and a light texture.
Tip: Use a vanilla or yellow cake mix for a classic taste, or try fun flavors like lemon or funfetti.

2. Eggs

Eggs help bind the ingredients together and add moisture, which ensures the cookie bars stay soft.

Role: Adds structure and moisture.
Tip: Use room-temperature eggs for even mixing.

3. Butter

Melted butter replaces the oil that is usually used in cake mix, creating a richer flavor and a denser, chewier texture.

Role: Adds moisture and enhances flavor.
Tip: Let the melted butter cool slightly before mixing to prevent scrambling the eggs.

4. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cookie bars, adding a warm, sweet aroma.

Role: Adds depth to the flavor.
Tip: Use pure vanilla extract for the best taste.

5. White Chocolate Chips

White chocolate chips provide a creamy, sweet contrast to the cookie base, making each bite extra indulgent.

Role: Adds sweetness and texture.
Tip: Mix them in gently to avoid overmixing the batter.

6. Easter M&M’s or Pastel Sprinkles

Easter-themed M&M’s or pastel sprinkles give these cookie bars a festive and colorful look.

Role: Enhances the Easter theme with fun colors.
Tip: Add extra on top before baking for a more vibrant presentation.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Since these bars require cooling before cutting, plan ahead to allow enough time for them to set properly.

Ingredients

To make one batch of Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, you’ll need:

1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla or yellow cake mix
2 large eggs
½ cup (1 stick) melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup Easter M&M’s or pastel sprinkles

Step-by-Step “Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars” Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with nonstick spray.

Expert Tip: Parchment paper makes it easier to lift the cookie bars out of the pan for clean cutting.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Expert Tip: If the butter is too hot, let it cool slightly to prevent scrambling the eggs.

Step 3: Add the Cake Mix

Slowly add the cake mix to the wet ingredients and stir until a thick dough forms.

Expert Tip: Do not overmix the batter—stop as soon as the ingredients are combined to keep the bars soft.

Step 4: Fold in the Mix-Ins

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and half of the Easter M&M’s or sprinkles.

Expert Tip: Save some M&M’s or sprinkles to press on top before baking for a more festive look.

Step 5: Spread the Dough into the Pan

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula or your hands.

Expert Tip: Lightly grease your hands or spatula to prevent sticking.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.

Expert Tip: The bars will continue to cook slightly as they cool, so avoid overbaking.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares.

Expert Tip: For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices.

Presentation Tips

Serve on a Decorative Easter Plate: A pastel-colored plate makes the colors pop.
Drizzle with Melted White Chocolate: This adds an extra touch of sweetness and elegance.
Add Extra Sprinkles: Right before serving, sprinkle on a few more pastel decorations for a festive finish.

Creative Twists

Want to switch things up? Try these fun variations:

1. Chocolate Cake Mix Bars

Use chocolate cake mix instead of vanilla for a rich, fudgy version.

Use lemon cake mix and add a little lemon zest for a fresh, citrusy twist.

3. Peanut Butter Easter Bars

Add ¼ cup of peanut butter to the batter for a nutty flavor.

4. Cream Cheese Swirl Bars

Mix 4 oz of softened cream cheese with ¼ cup of powdered sugar and swirl it into the batter before baking.

Pro Tip for Customization

To make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free cake mix. You can also substitute dairy-free chocolate chips and a plant-based butter alternative for a dairy-free version.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes! You can use any cake mix flavor you like, such as funfetti, strawberry, or lemon.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Yes! Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Absolutely! Bake them a day in advance and store them covered until you’re ready to serve.

5. How do I make them extra chewy?

Slightly underbake them and let them cool completely before cutting. This will keep them extra soft and chewy.

Conclusion

Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are an easy, festive, and delicious treat perfect for Easter gatherings. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, they are a stress-free dessert that everyone will love. Whether you customize them with different mix-ins or flavors, these cookie bars are guaranteed to be a hit. Try this recipe today and enjoy a colorful, chewy, and delightful Easter treat!