When you’re craving a sweet treat but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, these Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the answer! With just four simple ingredients, you can create a delicious dessert that will satisfy any chocolate craving. Whether you’re baking for a party, a casual family gathering, or just because, these bars are the perfect solution for when you need a quick, easy, and scrumptious dessert. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have gooey, golden bars packed with chocolatey goodness that everyone will love.
Let’s dive into why this recipe works, what you’ll need, and how you can create these cookie bars with ease!
Why This Recipe Works
This Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars recipe is all about simplicity without sacrificing flavor. The use of yellow cake mix as the base makes the dough rich and sweet, creating a perfect balance of texture between a soft cookie and a chewy bar. The butter adds richness and moisture, while the eggs help bind the ingredients together, resulting in a soft, tender texture. The semi-sweet chocolate chips provide the ultimate indulgence, making these bars irresistible.
By using cake mix, this recipe eliminates the need for multiple ingredients and complicated steps, so even beginners can enjoy baking. The best part? They bake in just 20-28 minutes, giving you a warm, freshly baked treat in no time.
What You’ll Need for This Recipe
To make these Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars, you’ll need just four simple ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 1 stick of butter (about 1/2 cup): This will add the necessary fat to create a soft and gooey texture for the bars.
- 2 eggs: The eggs bind the ingredients together and help create the structure of the cookie bars.
- 1 yellow cake mix: This is the star of the recipe, providing both sweetness and texture. It saves you the step of measuring out flour, baking soda, and sugar.
- 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1 1/2 cups): The chocolate chips will melt into the bars, creating pockets of rich, melty chocolate throughout.
Equipment:
- 1 large bowl: For mixing all your ingredients together.
- Whisk or spoon: To mix the eggs and butter together.
- 9×13-inch baking pan (or smaller pans if you want thicker bars): Greased to prevent sticking and make for easy removal.
- Oven: Preheated to 350°F to ensure your bars bake evenly.
How to Make These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Making these bars couldn’t be easier! Follow these simple steps to bake up a batch of gooey, chocolate-filled bars:
Step 1: Melt the Butter
Start by melting your stick of butter. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop. Be sure to melt the butter completely, then let it cool slightly before using.
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and eggs. This will create a smooth base for the dough. The butter adds richness, while the eggs help create the structure of the bars.
Step 3: Stir in the Cake Mix
Once the butter and eggs are combined, stir in the yellow cake mix. It’s best to do this in stages—start with half and mix it in, then add the rest. The cake mix will quickly come together into a dough-like consistency.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate Chips
Now it’s time to add the fun part—chocolate chips! Stir in the entire bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Make sure the chips are evenly distributed throughout the dough, so each bite has plenty of chocolatey goodness.
Step 5: Press Into the Pan
Grease your 9×13-inch baking pan (or another size if you want thicker bars). Press the dough evenly into the pan with a spatula or your hands. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just spread it out so it bakes evenly.
Step 6: Bake
Pop the pan into the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20 minutes if you’re using a 9×13-inch pan. If you’re using a smaller pan, you may need to bake for 25-28 minutes—just keep an eye on the edges, which should turn golden brown, and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with just a few crumbs.
Step 7: Enjoy
Once your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, slice them into bars and enjoy! These cookie bars are best served warm, but they’re also delicious at room temperature or even cold.
Tips + Tricks & More for Recipe Success
- Use room temperature butter: If you have time, let your butter come to room temperature before melting it. This will help it blend into the batter more evenly, resulting in a smoother dough.
- Mixing the cake mix: Don’t overmix the dough once you’ve added the cake mix. Stir until just combined—overmixing can result in dense bars.
- Get creative with mix-ins: Feel free to add your favorite extras to the dough. Chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), caramel bits, or even a swirl of peanut butter can elevate these bars to the next level.
- Adjust for thickness: If you want thicker cookie bars, use a smaller pan, and bake them for a few extra minutes. Just be sure to check the bars with a toothpick to ensure they’re done.
- For gooey bars: If you prefer a gooier center, underbake the bars slightly. Remove them from the oven when the edges are golden but the center is still slightly soft—it will set as it cools.
How to Serve These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are delicious on their own, but there are several fun ways to serve them:
- Serve with Ice Cream: Warm a cookie bar slightly and serve it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent dessert.
- Pair with Milk: These bars are perfect with a tall glass of cold milk. The milk helps balance the sweetness of the chocolate, making every bite even more satisfying.
- Serve at a Party: These cookie bars are great for parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. Their easy-to-make nature means you can whip up a large batch in no time.
- Make Ice Cream Sandwiches: Slice the bars in half and add a scoop of your favorite ice cream for an indulgent ice cream sandwich.
- Top with Whipped Cream or Caramel Sauce: For extra sweetness, top these cookie bars with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Time Breakdown
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 20-28 minutes
- Total Time: 30-38 minutes
Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Bar, based on 12 bars)
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen. With just a few basic ingredients, you can have warm, chocolatey bars ready in under 40 minutes. The best part? You can customize them with your favorite mix-ins to make them your own. So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready for a delicious treat everyone will love!