If you’re craving a super simple yet incredibly delicious dessert, the Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is about to become your new best friend. It takes the classic comfort of chocolate chip cookies and transforms it into a quick, no-fuss bar that delivers all the gooey, buttery goodness with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or anytime you want a sweet treat without standing over the mixer for too long, these bars are irresistibly soft and loaded with chocolate chips from edge to edge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because it uses just a handful of everyday ingredients that come together to create something magical. Each plays a vital role: the butter adds rich moisture, eggs provide structure, the yellow cake mix gives sweetness and tenderness, and the chocolate chips sprinkle in pockets of melty delight.
- Butter (1 stick, melted): Adds luscious richness and helps bind the bars together perfectly.
- Eggs (2 large): One of the essential ingredients for moistness and structure in the batter.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box): The secret to that tender crumb and perfectly sweet base, making this recipe insanely easy.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 bag): The star player that ensures each bite oozes gooey chocolate happiness.
How to Make Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
First things first, set your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready when the batter is mixed. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray to ensure those bars come out smooth and perfect every time.
Step 2: Combine Butter and Eggs
In a large bowl, start by melting the butter – this adds that lovely buttery flavor throughout. Whisk the eggs into the melted butter until fully combined, getting your liquid base ready to mix with the cake mix.
Step 3: Add the Cake Mix
Next, stir in the yellow cake mix. The batter will be thick and a little sticky, which is exactly what you want for these bars that are soft and chewy. Take your time to mix it well so there are no dry pockets of cake mix left behind.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now the fun part. Toss in the entire bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and fold them evenly throughout the batter. This ensures every single bite is packed with melty chocolate goodness.
Step 5: Press Into Your Pan
Spread the cookie dough mixture into your greased pan. Use a spatula or clean hands to gently press it evenly so the bars bake up uniform and golden on top.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Pop your pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 20 minutes if you’re using a 9×13 pan. Smaller pans will need a bit longer, around 25-28 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges – when they’re golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, your bars are done.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bars cool in the pan. This helps them set nicely so when you cut them into squares, they hold their shape but still stay satisfyingly soft and chewy inside.
How to Serve Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Want to elevate these bars even further? Sprinkle a little sea salt on top right after baking to heighten the sweet and chocolate contrast. You can also dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle some melted white chocolate for a fancy touch.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars are fantastic with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream on the side, turning your simple dessert into an indulgent experience. Or, serve them alongside fresh berries to add a hint of tartness that complements the chocolate beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For an easy showstopper at parties, stack the bars on a pretty platter and sprinkle with mini marshmallows or crushed nuts. You can even cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve as finger food at gatherings—everyone will be reaching for seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for up to 3 days, ready for a quick snack or dessert anytime.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars longer, they freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. Frozen cookie bars will taste almost freshly baked within 2-3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy the bars warm again, simply pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or heat briefly in the oven at low temperature. This brings back that freshly baked vibe and makes the chocolate even more melty.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix for this Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix is classic here for its balance of sweetness and texture, you can experiment with white, butter, or even spice cake mixes for a fun twist.
Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute the cake mix for a gluten-free yellow or vanilla mix. Make sure all other ingredients are confirmed gluten-free for safe results.
Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Definitely. Chopped walnuts or pecans mix in nicely for a little crunch and added flavor. Just fold them in with the chocolate chips before baking.
What’s the best way to cut the bars without them crumbling?
Letting the bars cool completely is key. Using a sharp knife and wiping it clean between cuts also helps you get neat, clean squares.
Can I make smaller batches of the Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe?
You sure can! Just halve the ingredients and use a smaller pan. Keep an eye on the baking time as it may be slightly shorter.
Final Thoughts
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe have saved me on countless occasions when I wanted a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert with minimal effort. The combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps means you can whip them up anytime and still impress everyone with a soft, chocolate-loaded treat. Trust me, once you try them, these bars will become a staple in your recipe arsenal!
Print
Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-28 minutes
- Total Time: 30-38 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a quick and easy dessert made with simple ingredients like yellow cake mix, butter, and chocolate chips. Perfectly soft and chewy, they’re baked in one pan for minimal effort and maximum flavor — an ideal treat for busy days or whenever you want a fuss-free sweet fix.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 yellow cake mix (approximately 15.25 oz box)
- 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 12 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or a smaller pan if you prefer thicker bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, melt the butter completely. Whisk in the eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the yellow cake mix gradually until fully incorporated. The resulting batter will be thick and dense.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the entire bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Press Into Pan: Transfer the cookie dough mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press and spread the batter evenly to all edges for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes if using a 9×13 inch pan. For smaller pans, extend baking time to 25-28 minutes. The bars are done when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This helps the bars set nicely and makes serving easier. Enjoy your delicious, easy-to-make chocolate chip cookie bars!
Notes
- Greasing the pan ensures the bars release easily after baking.
- For a fudgier texture, slightly underbake by a minute or two.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips for variation.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- If you prefer thinner bars, use a larger baking pan and reduce baking time slightly.
