Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are the ultimate springtime treat, boasting bursts of pastel color and an irresistibly soft, chewy texture that make every bite feel like a celebration. With gooey white chocolate chips, playful pastel M&M’s, and plenty of festive sprinkles, these bars come together in no time and always earn rave reviews. Whether you’re gathering family for a holiday brunch or just want a sweet, cheerful snack to brighten any day, you’ll love how simple it is to make these bars with just a box of cake mix and a handful of pantry staples.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role in making your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars completely crave-worthy. Using a cake mix as your base means you get soft, bakery-style bars with very little effort, while the add-ins give them irresistible pops of sweetness and color.
- Cake Mix: Opt for yellow or white for a classic flavor, but feel free to swap in funfetti or strawberry for an extra festive twist.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter not only brings moisture but also creates that rich, bakery-soft center.
- Eggs: The essential binder that turns cake mix into thick cookie dough and ensures the bars hold together beautifully.
- Pastel-Colored M&M’s: These add vibrant color, crunch, and classic chocolate goodness in every bite—perfect for spring celebrations.
- White Chocolate Chips: For creamy, melty pockets throughout your bars that balance the crunchy candies perfectly.
- Pastel Sprinkles: A final flourish of fun, both inside and on top, bringing true Easter cheer to every slice!
How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and either grease it well or line it with parchment paper for ultra-easy removal—trust me, you’ll thank yourself when you’re ready to pull out perfectly cut bars.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter, and eggs. You’ll notice the mixture comes together quickly into a thick, slightly sticky dough. No need for a stand mixer—muscle and a sturdy spoon are totally sufficient here!
Step 3: Add the Goodies
Gently fold in the pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and most of your pastel sprinkles (save a few for topping later). Folding instead of stirring helps keep all those colorful candies intact and ensures even distribution throughout the bars.
Step 4: Press Into Pan and Top
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. It’ll be thick, so use your hands or a spatula to spread it out all the way to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining M&M’s and pastel sprinkles over the top and press them in lightly—this step makes your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars look absolutely bakery-worthy.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn golden and a toothpick to come out clean when inserted in the center. Let the bars cool completely right in the pan so they set up perfectly for slicing.
How to Serve Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate is all you need for a little extra flair. You can also add a few extra sprinkles just before serving for an extra pop of color—these little touches make the bars feel even more festive.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet beauties with a big glass of cold milk or a cup of tea for a classic combo. If you’re serving as part of an Easter brunch, consider adding a platter of fresh fruit or tangy Greek yogurt on the side to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars into small squares and arrange them on a pastel platter, or pop them into decorative cellophane bags as the cutest edible Easter gifts! You can also cut them with cookie cutters for fun shapes—kids absolutely love this playful presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days, making them perfect to have on hand throughout the holiday week.
Freezing
These bars are fantastic for freezing! Slice them first, then store the pieces in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag with layers of parchment in between. They’ll last for up to two months—just let them come to room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
If you love your cookie bars warm and gooey, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The chocolate will get melty and irresistible, just like fresh from the oven. Be careful not to overheat so they don’t dry out.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While yellow or white cake mix is perfect for a classic taste and color, feel free to use funfetti, strawberry, or even chocolate for your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars. Each variation brings its own personality to the party.
What if I don’t have pastel candies or sprinkles?
No worries at all. Use whatever chocolate candies or regular sprinkles you have on hand. The bars will still taste amazing and look festive, especially if you play around with your own color combos.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Just grab a gluten-free cake mix, adjust the baking time if needed (gluten-free versions may cook a little quicker), and you’re all set for gluten-free Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars everyone can enjoy.
How do I keep the bars from sticking to the pan?
Lining your pan with parchment paper is the easiest trick for clean removal. If you’re just greasing your pan, be generous with butter or nonstick spray, making sure to get into all the corners.
Can kids help with this recipe?
Definitely! This recipe is super kid-friendly. Kids love mixing the dough, pressing it in the pan, and, of course, decorating with M&M’s and sprinkles. It’s such a fun and easy way to get the family baking together for Easter.
Final Thoughts
With their delightful colors, chewy texture, and pure nostalgic charm, Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are guaranteed to become a holiday favorite for years to come. Give this easy recipe a try and enjoy a sweet burst of spring in every bite—you might just find yourself making them all season long!
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Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. Made with a simple cake mix base and loaded with pastel-colored M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles, these bars are a festive and easy dessert option.
Ingredients
Cake Mix Cookie Bars:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow or white cake mix
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pastel-colored M&M’s
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ¼ cup pastel sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, melted butter, and eggs until a dough forms.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and most of the sprinkles.
- Prepare the bars: Press the dough into the baking dish, sprinkle remaining M&M’s and sprinkles on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and slice: Cool in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Try different cake mix flavors for variety.
- Adjust baking time for desired bar texture.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
