If you’re on the hunt for a festive, colorful, and truly fuss-free dessert to brighten up your spring gatherings, this Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine tender, moist bars bursting with cheerful rainbow sprinkles and optional chocolate chips adding bursts of sweetness in every bite. This recipe takes just minutes to whip up, making it perfect for a last-minute treat that still looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply craving something delightfully sweet, these cookie bars deliver joy in every square.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are surprisingly simple but come together to create a flavorful, moist, and visually stunning treat. Each component plays a key role—from the vanilla cake mix providing a soft crumb and sweetness to the sprinkles adding playful color and crunch.
- Vanilla cake mix (15.25 oz): The base of our bars, providing a soft and tender texture that’s easy to work with.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the batter and add richness, helping the bars rise slightly while keeping them moist.
- Vegetable oil (½ cup): Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb that isn’t dry.
- Rainbow sprinkles (½ cup): For a festive pop of color and subtle crunch that’s synonymous with Easter joy.
- Chocolate chips (½ cup, optional): A melty, sweet addition that pairs beautifully with the vanilla and sprinkles.
How to Make Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan well. This ensures the bars bake evenly and come out cleanly, ready to be cut into neat squares.
Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, pour in your vanilla cake mix, then crack in two large eggs and add the vegetable oil. Stir everything together until you get a smooth and uniform batter. This straightforward mixing step cuts down on prep time while setting the foundation for soft cookie bars.
Step 3: Add the Fun Stuff
Fold in your rainbow sprinkles along with chocolate chips if you’re using them. This step is where the bars start to take on their iconic festive look and extra bursts of sweet surprise.
Step 4: Spread and Bake
Pour the batter into your greased pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula so all parts cook uniformly. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges turn a light golden brown and the center feels set when gently touched.
Step 5: Cool and Cut
Let your cookie bars cool completely in the pan. This cooling time is key for clean cuts and ensures the bars hold their shape splendidly when sliced into those perfect squares.
How to Serve Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While rainbow sprinkles already bring festive flair, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate glaze can elevate presentation to a whole new level. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream make tasty and colorful accompaniments as well.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines on its own but pairs beautifully with simple sides like a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a refreshing fruit salad. The creamy or fresh contrast enhances each bite, making it perfect for springtime celebrations or casual dessert moments.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or potluck, try stacking the Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe on a decorative tiered tray or serving platter. Wrapping individual squares in pastel-colored parchment paper makes them perfect for gifting or taking on the go. You can also cut the bars into fun spring shapes using cookie cutters before serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. This keeps them moist and flavorful, so you can enjoy that delightful texture with every bite even after a few days have passed.
Freezing
If you want to keep these festive bars longer, wrap individual squares tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge for fresh-tasting bars anytime.
Reheating
For a warm, just-baked feeling, pop the bars in a microwave for 10–15 seconds or heat gently in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. This softens them and brings out their sweet aroma like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While vanilla provides a classic base that pairs well with sprinkles and chocolate, you can experiment with funfetti, lemon, or even almond cake mixes to create new flavor twists on the Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe.
What can I substitute for vegetable oil?
You can swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce to adjust for dietary preferences or to add a subtle flavor change. Keep in mind, using applesauce might yield a slightly denser texture.
Are these bars gluten-free?
The traditional cake mix contains gluten, so these bars are not gluten-free unless you use a certified gluten-free vanilla cake mix. Make sure to check the label if gluten is a concern.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped nuts like pecans or almonds add a wonderful crunch. You could also stir in dried fruit or white chocolate chips to mix up the texture and flavor of the bars.
How do I prevent the bars from drying out?
Be careful not to overbake. Keep a close eye during the last five minutes and remove when the edges are golden and the center is just set. Also, storing them in an airtight container helps retain moisture.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe is a delightful combination of convenience, festive fun, and fantastic taste all in one pan. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to whip up a sweet treat that’ll impress with minimal effort. So go ahead and try this recipe—you’ll soon find it becoming a beloved tradition for Easter and beyond!
Print
Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a festive and simple treat perfect for celebrating the holiday. Made from a vanilla cake mix combined with eggs, vegetable oil, and colorful rainbow sprinkles, these bars are soft, sweet, and bursting with fun. Optional chocolate chips add a melty chocolate touch, making them a deliciously easy dessert or snack that can be whipped up in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Mix-ins
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vanilla cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Stir together until the mixture is smooth and fully blended, with no lumps remaining.
- Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles and, if using, the chocolate chips. This will give your bars festive color and optional bursts of chocolate flavor throughout.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out smoothly to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Bake until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into squares and serve for a delightful Easter treat.
Notes
- You can substitute rainbow sprinkles with any other festive sprinkles or colored sugars to match different occasions.
- For a dairy-free option, ensure your cake mix and chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- If you prefer a more fudgy texture, slightly underbake the bars by a couple of minutes and allow them to cool in the pan.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Adding nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts can provide a crunchy texture contrast if desired.
