If you’re looking for a scrumptious treat that’s so easy you’ll wonder why you never made it before, this Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. With just a handful of simple ingredients and no complicated steps, these bars deliver rich, gooey chocolate chip goodness in a chewy, cake-like texture. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself, they’re the ultimate solution when cravings strike but time is tight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture you’re going to love. From the buttery richness to the sweet cake base and melty chocolate chunks, these essentials come together effortlessly.
- Butter (1 stick, melted): Adds moisture and rich flavor while helping bind the bars together beautifully.
- Eggs (2): Provide structure and contribute to the tender, soft crumb.
- Yellow cake mix (1 box): The secret shortcut for a quick batter with a delicate sweetness and golden color.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 bag): Sprinkle throughout for melty pockets of chocolate that make every bite irresistible.
How to Make Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking pan. Greasing is essential to ensure the bars release easily after baking, and the pan size helps bake the bars evenly with a lovely golden crust.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Combine with Eggs
In a large bowl, melt the stick of butter until liquid and warm, then whisk in the eggs. This step creates a smooth base, helping everything blend seamlessly in the next steps and adding to the tender texture.
Step 3: Stir in the Cake Mix
Next, add the yellow cake mix to your bowl and stir until just combined. You’ll notice the batter becomes thick, which is exactly right — this thickness gives the bars their chewy, dense consistency you’ll adore.
Step 4: Mix in Chocolate Chips
Now fold in the entire bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Distributing these evenly ensures each bite gets that perfect hit of chocolate-y delight, making these cookie bars thoroughly satisfying.
Step 5: Press and Bake
Press the dough evenly into your greased baking pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking. Bake for about 20 minutes if using a 9×13 pan, or slightly longer for smaller pans, until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Cut
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting. This cooling time makes them easier to slice and lets the flavors set, resulting in neat squares every time.
How to Serve Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Although these bars are fantastic on their own, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top can add an elegant touch. You might also try sprinkling some flaky sea salt before baking for a beautiful sweet-salty contrast that wakes up your taste buds.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic treat combo. For a grown-up twist, pairing them with a cup of rich coffee or hot chocolate makes snack time feel like a special occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress at your next gathering? Arrange the bars stacked on a pretty platter or cut into bite-sized squares and serve on skewers with fresh berries between layers. You could also sandwich softened marshmallow or peanut butter between two bars for a decadent handheld dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover chocolate chip cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy them without any last-minute baking stress.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars even longer, they freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months, ready to thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them in an oven set to 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This makes the chocolate melty again and refreshes their soft, gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cake mix?
Yes! While yellow cake mix gives a classic flavor, you can experiment with vanilla or even butter cake mix to add slight variations to the taste and color of your bars.
What if I prefer milk or dark chocolate chips?
Feel free to swap semi-sweet chips for milk or dark chocolate chips depending on your sweetness preference. Each variety will offer a different flavor nuance but still make delicious bars.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely! Adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or even shredded coconut can give your cookie bars extra texture and flavor. Just mix them in along with the chocolate chips.
Is it possible to make these gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix and ensure your other ingredients are gluten-free certified. This maintains the ease of the recipe while accommodating dietary needs.
How thick will these bars be?
When baked in a 9×13 inch pan, the bars are generously thick with a tender crumb and chewy edges—perfect for satisfying cookie cravings without being too dense.
Final Thoughts
This Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe truly is a kitchen hero when you want a quick, delightful dessert without fuss. The combination of simple ingredients and straightforward steps makes baking feel like pure joy, and the outcome is always a crowd-pleaser. Grab your pan, mix it up, and get ready to savor every melt-in-your-mouth bite!
Print
Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-28 minutes
- Total Time: 30-38 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Lazy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are an easy and delicious twist on classic chocolate chip cookies. Made with simple ingredients like yellow cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, they come together quickly and bake into soft, chewy bars perfect for snacking or dessert.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- 1 stick (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 package (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 1 bag (about 12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan or a smaller pan if preferred.
- Melt the butter and combine eggs: In a large bowl, melt the butter. Whisk in the eggs thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the cake mix: Stir the yellow cake mix into the wet ingredients until fully incorporated. The batter will become thick and sticky.
- Mix in chocolate chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Spread in pan: Press the cookie dough evenly into the greased baking pan using your hands or a spatula.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes if using a 9×13 inch pan, or 25-28 minutes if using a smaller pan. The bars are done when the edges are 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 24 squares. Enjoy your delicious, chewy chocolate chip cookie bars!
Notes
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk or dark chocolate chips if preferred.
- For extra texture, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans.
- Make sure to grease the baking pan well to prevent sticking.
- These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- If you prefer crispier edges, bake a few minutes longer but watch carefully to avoid burning.
