Name: Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow or white cake mix; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup pastel M&M’s or Easter candy-coated chocolate eggs; ½ cup white chocolate chips; ¼ cup sprinkles (optional)

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If ever there was a dessert that tasted like celebration, it’s these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars. With just a handful of basic ingredients and a swirl of pastel candies, this treat bakes up into buttery, chewy bars that deliver all the fun and flavor of spring in every bite. Whether you’re making them for an Easter gathering or simply craving a little color and cheer, these cookie bars are the easiest way to impress your crew — no fancy baking skills required!

Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is a deliberate choice — together they create the perfect texture, just the right amount of sweetness, and eye-catching, festive pops of color that make these bars so irresistible.

Cake mix: A 15.25-ounce box of yellow or white cake mix forms the super-soft, buttery foundation for the bars with zero fuss.
Unsalted butter: Half a cup of melted butter keeps the bars rich and extra chewy, and allows the ingredients to blend easily.
Eggs: Two large eggs bind everything together and give the bars their classic cookie-like texture.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon brings a warm, sweet aroma that makes the bars smell as good as they look.
Pastel M&M’s or Easter candy-coated chocolate eggs: A full cup of colorful chocolate candies adds bites of crunch and bursts of chocolate, plus major Easter vibes.
White chocolate chips: A half cup melts into creamy pockets that play perfectly with the candy pieces.
Sprinkles (optional): Add a quarter cup of festive sprinkles for even brighter color and that magical finishing sparkle.

How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper — the parchment makes it super easy to lift out and slice neat bars later. This little bit of prep means your bars will release perfectly and stay whole when it’s time to serve.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until a thick, cookie-like dough forms. It might look a bit dense at first, but keep mixing — soon you’ll have a dough that’s easy to press into your pan.

Step 3: Add the Easter Flair

Fold in the pastel M&M’s (or candy eggs), white chocolate chips, and sprinkles if you’re using them. Be gentle and stop when everything is just combined, so your candies stay intact and evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is when it starts looking (and smelling) irresistible!

Step 4: Press and Bake

Transfer the thick dough to your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or clean hands to press it evenly into every corner, smoothing out the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden brown and the center looks set. Don’t overbake — you want those perfectly chewy middles!

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let the bars cool completely in the pan so they hold their shape when slicing. Once cool, lift them out if you used parchment, and cut into 20 vibrant, festive bars. You’ll be amazed at how professional (and adorable) they look.

How to Serve Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Garnishes

Pull out all the stops with extra pastel sprinkles or a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the cooled bars for an even more festive finish. You can also nestle a few extra candy eggs on top of each bar just before serving — they’ll look bakery-worthy, but with your homemade touch.

Side Dishes

These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars pair perfectly with light, fresh accompaniments like fruit salad, a bowl of berries, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For an Easter brunch, set them alongside coffee, tea, or a simple lemonade — sweets and sips that let the bars shine.

Creative Ways to Present

Put your cookie bars on a cake stand for a showstopping centerpiece, or place them in paper cupcake liners for a grab-and-go party treat. You can even wrap individual bars in cellophane and tuck them inside Easter baskets for the most joyful homemade surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. They stay chewy and flavorful — and if anything, the flavors deepen and meld together for even richer bites the next day.

Freezing

These cookie bars freeze beautifully! Wrap squares individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for up to two months — perfect for making ahead or saving a few treats “for later.”

Reheating

If you like your bars warm and gooey, microwave an individual piece for about 10 seconds before serving. The chocolate candies and chips get wonderfully melty, making the bars taste freshly baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! Vanilla, funfetti, or even strawberry cake mix will give your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars a fun twist and unique flavor. Try your favorite and see which version becomes your go-to.

What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?

Let the bars cool completely first — this is crucial! Then use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts. For picture-perfect bars, you can even chill them for 30 minutes before slicing.

Can I swap the M&M’s for another type Dessert

Yes, you can use chopped mini chocolate eggs, pastel chocolate chips, or even crushed malted milk eggs. Get creative with whatever Easter candy you have on hand.

Do I have to use sprinkles?

Sprinkles are totally optional, but they add extra color and celebration to these bars. If you’re making them for another occasion, try using themed or seasonal sprinkles for year-round fun.

Are the cookie bars sturdy enough to package and gift?

Definitely! These bars hold together well and look adorable wrapped in parchment or cellophane. They make thoughtful homemade gifts for teachers, neighbors, or friends — just add a festive ribbon and you’re set.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited as I am to bake up a batch (or two) of these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars. With their soft centers, delicious mix-ins, and cheery colors, they just feel like a celebration in every bite. Share them with loved ones, gift them, or keep them all for yourself — I promise, this is one sweet tradition you’ll want to repeat every spring!

Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful treat that perfectly balances the flavors of cake mix, chocolate, and candy. Easy to make and bursting with festive colors, these bars are a must-have for your spring celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Mix Cookie Bars:

1 box (15.25 ounces) yellow or white cake mix
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Mix-Ins:

1 cup pastel M&M’s or Easter candy-coated chocolate eggs
½ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.
Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until a thick dough forms.
Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, and sprinkles if desired.
Bake: Press the dough evenly into the baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and set.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy!