Easter is a time for family, fun, and, of course, delicious desserts! If you’re looking for a quick and easy treat that captures the festive spirit, Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the perfect choice. These soft, chewy bars are made using a simple cake mix base, combined with colorful pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and a buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
What makes these cookie bars stand out? They require minimal ingredients, zero hassle, and maximum flavor—a baker’s dream for Easter gatherings! Plus, they can be customized to match your favorite flavors and textures.
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Why You’ll Love These Cookie Bars
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🥄 Super easy to make – just mix, bake, and enjoy!
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🍫 Soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate goodness
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🎨 Colorful & festive, perfect for an Easter dessert platter
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🍪 Customizable with different mix-ins and toppings
If you’re wondering about the best way to store baked goods or need baking tips for beginners, check out these helpful resources:
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Learn the best ways to store cookies and bars to keep them fresh for longer.
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Discover essential baking tips to perfect your technique.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these delightful Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, you’ll need:
Base Ingredients
✔️ 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
✔️ ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
✔️ 2 large eggs
✔️ 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins & Toppings
✔️ 1 cup pastel M&M’s (or any Easter-themed candy)
✔️ 1 cup white chocolate chips
✔️ ¼ cup sprinkles (optional, for extra color)
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How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
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In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
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Stir until fully blended – the dough will be thicker than traditional cookie dough.
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
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Fold in the M&M’s and white chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution.
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Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
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Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
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The center may look slightly soft – that’s okay! It will continue to set as it cools.
Step 5: Cool & Slice
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Allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
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Cut into 12-16 bars, depending on your preferred size.
Customization Ideas & Variations
Want to get creative? Here are some fun ways to switch up your cookie bars:
Flavor Variations
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Use a chocolate cake mix for a richer taste.
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Try Funfetti cake mix for an extra pop of color.
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Swap in strawberry cake mix for a fruity twist.
Mix-In Alternatives
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Replace M&M’s with Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chunks, or mini marshmallows.
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Add crushed Oreos, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes for extra texture.
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Drizzle melted caramel or peanut butter on top after baking.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookie Bars
✔️ Don’t overbake! The bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
✔️ Use parchment paper to lift the bars easily from the pan.
✔️ Want thicker bars? Use an 8×8-inch pan and increase the baking time.
✔️ For a softer texture, reduce the butter slightly and add a tablespoon of milk.
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Serving & Presentation Ideas
Make your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars stand out with these fun serving ideas:
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Arrange them on a colorful Easter dessert platter with chocolate eggs.
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Serve with vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
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Drizzle with melted white chocolate or add a dusting of powdered sugar.
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Stack them in clear treat bags and tie them with pastel ribbons for a perfect Easter gift!
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Want to make these ahead of time? Here’s how to store them properly:
Room Temperature (Up to 5 Days)
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Store in an airtight container to keep them soft and fresh.
Refrigeration (Up to 1 Week)
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Keep in a sealed container to prevent them from drying out.
Freezing (Up to 3 Months)
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Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
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Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
FAQs About Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
1. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! Bake them a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container.
2. What’s the best cake mix for this recipe?
Vanilla, yellow cake mix, or Funfetti cake mix work best. Avoid mixes with pudding added as they can change the texture.
3. Can I make these without eggs?
Yes! Substitute each egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg.
4. How do I prevent my cookie bars from becoming too dry?
Make sure not to overbake and use melted butter instead of oil for a richer texture.
5. Can I add nuts or fruit to the recipe?
Absolutely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut all work great.
Final Thoughts
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the ultimate springtime dessert—quick, delicious, and festive! With a variety of ways to customize and serve them, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your Easter celebration.
Now that you know how to make them, what mix-ins will you try first? Let us know in the comments! Happy baking! 🎉
Print
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
Description
Easter is a time for family, fun, and, of course, delicious desserts! If you’re looking for a quick and easy treat that captures the festive spirit, Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the perfect choice. These soft, chewy bars are made using a simple cake mix base, combined with colorful pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and a buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
To make these delightful Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars, you’ll need:
Base Ingredients
✔️ 1 box vanilla or yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
✔️ ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
✔️ 2 large eggs
✔️ 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-Ins & Toppings
✔️ 1 cup pastel M&M’s (or any Easter-themed candy)
✔️ 1 cup white chocolate chips
✔️ ¼ cup sprinkles (optional, for extra color)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
-
In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
-
Stir until fully blended – the dough will be thicker than traditional cookie dough.
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
-
Fold in the M&M’s and white chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution.
-
Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out evenly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
-
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
-
The center may look slightly soft – that’s okay! It will continue to set as it cools.
Step 5: Cool & Slice
-
Allow the bars to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
-
Cut into 12-16 bars, depending on your preferred size.
Notes
Don’t overbake! The bars will continue to firm up as they cool.
Use parchment paper to lift the bars easily from the pan.
Want thicker bars? Use an 8×8-inch pan and increase the baking time.
For a softer texture, reduce the butter slightly and add a tablespoon of milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 Bars
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg