If you’re looking for a treat that’s vibrant, easy, and guaranteed to light up your holiday dessert table, these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars check every box. With their irresistible chewy center, colorful pastel candies, and a rich dose of white chocolate, these bars merge all the fun of Easter and the simplicity of a cake mix into one magical bite. Whether you’re baking with kids, hosting family brunch, or simply craving a sweet slice of spring, this recipe is destined to become your new festive favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beautiful part about Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars is how little effort it takes to get such stunning results. Each ingredient plays a key role, from ease, to sweetness, to cheery pops of color—here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Yellow cake mix (1 box, 15.25 oz): Your secret shortcut for soft, tender bars without fussing over flour and sugar measurements.
- Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Keeps everything moist and chewy—choose a neutral oil for best flavor.
- Eggs (2 large): They bind it all, giving your bars structure and a beautifully rich bite.
- Pastel M&M’s (1 cup): These signal “Easter” at a glance and add crunchy, melty fun to every bar.
- White chocolate chips (1/2 cup): A luxurious sweet element that compliments the candy and mixes so well with the chewy dough.
- Mini marshmallows (1/2 cup): For extra gooey pockets scattered throughout—think playful, soft, and delightfully surprising.
- Easter-themed sprinkles (1/4 cup): Pure decoration joy, these bring the holiday spirit and a pop of color to every bite.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Just a splash lifts every flavor and brings them all together harmoniously.
How to Make Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and either line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or give it a light greasing. Prepping the pan is crucial—it’ll guarantee your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars release easily once cooled and cut perfectly every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Stir everything together with a sturdy spoon or spatula until it forms a thick, cohesive dough. Even if it looks a bit sticky, that’s a good sign—the result will be wonderfully chewy!
Step 3: Add the Fun Ingredients
Now, gently fold in your pastel M&M’s, white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, festive sprinkles, and vanilla extract. Be careful not to overmix; you want those candies and extras to stay whole, creating fun surprises in every slice of your cookie bars.
Step 4: Press and Bake
Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan. A spatula or clean hands make this easy—just be sure to get an even layer throughout so the bars bake uniformly. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is just set. For super soft bars, lean toward the shorter bake time—you can always let them finish setting as they cool.
Step 5: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let the bars cool completely in the pan. This patience really pays off—the Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars will set up to the perfect texture and be much easier to slice into neat squares. Use the parchment to lift out, slice, and get ready to share!
How to Serve Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar, an extra handful of pastel sprinkles, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top can make your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars look bakery-perfect. For ultimate cuteness, nestle a few extra marshmallows or candies on each bar just before serving.
Side Dishes
Serve these bright, cheerful bars at the center of a spring dessert spread—think fresh berry salad, citrusy lemon curd, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Their sweetness pairs beautifully with anything creamy or slightly tart.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re celebrating with a crowd, arrange the cookie bars on a festive platter in an Easter egg shape or nestle them in paper cupcake liners for grab-and-go treats. You can even wrap individual bars in cellophane for adorable party favors or Easter basket surprises.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars keep wonderfully for several days. Just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay delightfully soft for up to four days. For extra freshness, pop a small piece of bread into the container (it keeps the bars from drying out!)
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! After cooling and cutting, layer the bars in a freezer-safe bag with parchment between layers. Store them for up to two months, then thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a taste of spring again.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic, microwave a bar for 8-10 seconds. You’ll revive some gooey-ness in the marshmallows and chocolate, making your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars taste like they were just baked.
FAQs
Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! While yellow cake mix delivers a classic flavor and light color, feel free to try white, strawberry, or even funfetti for a playful spin. Each will bring its own unique twist to your Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars.
Do I have to use M&M’s, or can I switch up the candy?
Pastel M&M’s really give these bars an Easter vibe, but you can substitute with other colorful candy-coated chocolates, chopped chocolate eggs, or even mini peanut butter cups for a fun flavor change.
How do I avoid overbaking the bars?
Keep a close eye at the 20-minute mark—the edges should be lightly golden and the center just set. If you prefer extra-soft bars, pull them from the oven a minute or two early and let them finish setting as they cool in the pan.
Can I make these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars gluten-free?
Definitely! Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free yellow or vanilla cake mix and ensure all your add-ins are certified gluten-free. The process and results will be just as delicious.
What’s the best way to get clean slices?
Let the bars cool completely—chilling them in the fridge for 15-20 minutes can help! Then use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between slices, for sharp, tidy edges that showcase all the pretty layers inside.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re baking for an Easter party, a spring potluck, or just to brighten an ordinary day, these Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are joyfully simple and always a big hit. I hope you give them a try and find yourself with a new springtime baking tradition—your tastebuds (and your family!) will thank you.
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Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars are a delightful treat bursting with festive colors and flavors. They are quick to make and perfect for any springtime gathering or as a sweet indulgence for yourself.
Ingredients
Cake Mix Base:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
Add-Ins:
- 1 cup pastel M&M’s
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (Easter-themed)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, oil, and eggs until a thick dough forms.
- Add the Goodies: Gently fold in the M&M’s, white chocolate chips, marshmallows, sprinkles, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Bake: Press the dough into the pan, bake for 20-25 minutes until golden on the edges and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Let it cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For softer bars, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting as they cool.
- You can use white or funfetti cake mix instead of yellow for variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
